U.S. Leading The Way In Healthy Dietary Changes? What?

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of good quality, grass-fed, butter.

In fact, when our local Whole Food’s starting carrying a new brand from New Zealand we had a little party in the butter aisle that involved the dairy manager coming over to see what the fuss was all about, LOL!

As I’ve personally begun to include much more butter into my diet I’ve felt better and felt fuller longer with less food.

Eating more butter has had such a positive impact on me I’ve felt almost lied to about being advised to avoid it for so many years.

That makes this announcement from the FDA even more astonishing to us.

The U.S. has indirectly given a thumbs up to butter by stating that “trans fats” are not safe for humans.

Check it out in this release, FDA takes steps to remove artificial Trans Fats in processed foods,

Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today finalized its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in human food. Food manufacturers will have three years to remove PHOs from products.

“The FDA’s action on this major source of artificial trans fat demonstrates the agency’s commitment to the heart health of all Americans,” said FDA’s Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, M.D. “This action is expected to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.”

The Toronto Star even picked up on the story, Canada urged to follow U.S. lead in cutting trans fats, but we’re not overly optimistic in the speed of change. Check out this quote:

Phyllis Tanaka, a senior adviser with Food & Consumer Products of Canada, an industry organization, said voluntary efforts to reduce trans fats have been successful and argued that ongoing efforts should remain voluntary.

“Regulation has a cost attached to it. Is that how we want to use resources when we have evidence that the voluntary approach can continue to work?” she asked.

Tanaka said some products continue to be problematic, for example, baked goods and frosting. But she said the industry is willing to keep working with government to reduce use of trans fats.

Oh well, we’re slowly heading in the right direction.