New York City Trans Fat Ban: Improving the Default Option When Purchasing Foods Prepared Outside of the Home
Authors: Alice H. Lichtenstein
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2012)

Editorials17 July 2012New York City Trans Fat Ban: Improving the Default Option When Purchasing Foods Prepared Outside of the HomeAlice H. Lichtenstein, DScAlice H. Lichtenstein, DScFrom Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-157-2-201207170-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail The adverse effects of trans fatty acid (trans fat) on cardiovascular health have been known for at least 2 decades (1). During that time, both the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2) and the Institute of Medicine's Dietary Reference Intake guidelines (3) have recommended restricting trans fat intake to the extent possible. To facilitate adherence to this guidance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated in 2003 that trans fat content be listed on the Nutrient Facts panel of packaged foods by 2006 (4). This ruling enabled consumers to make purchasing decisions based on the information provided, and it incentivized food ...References1. Mensink RP, Katan MB. Effect of dietary trans fatty acids on high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy subjects. N Engl J Med. 1990;323:439-45. [PMID: 2374566] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Alexandria, VA: U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2000. Accessed at www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2000Guidelines.htm on 4 June 2012. Google Scholar3. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes. Energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences; 2005. Google Scholar4. Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Food labeling: trans fatty acids in nutrition labeling, nutrient content claims, and health claims. Final rule. Fed Regist. 2003;68:41433-1506. [PMID: 12856667] MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Vesper HW, Kuiper HC, Mirel LB, Johnson CL, Pirkle JL. Levels of plasma trans-fatty acids in non-Hispanic white adults in the United States in 2000 and 2009. JAMA. 2012;307:562-3. [PMID: 22318273] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Rahkovsky I, Martinez S, Kuchler F. New Food Choices Free of Trans Fats Better Align U.S. Diets With Health Recommendations. Economic Information Bulletin no. 95. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; 2012. Google Scholar7. Brouwer IA, Wanders AJ, Katan MB. Effect of animal and industrial trans fatty acids on HDL and LDL cholesterol levels in humans—a quantitative review. PLoS One. 2010;5:9434. [PMID: 20209147] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Lichtenstein AH, Appel LJ, Brands M, Carnethon M, Daniels S, Franch HA, et al; American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. Circulation. 2006;114:82-96. [PMID: 16785338] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Alexandria, VA: U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2010. Accessed at www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-DGACReport.htm on 4 June 2012. Google Scholar10. Agricultural Research Service. Away from Home: Percentages of Selected Nutrients Contributed by Foods Eaten Away from Home, by Gender and Age. What We Eat in America, NHANES 2007-2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2010. Accessed at www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12355000/pdf/0708/Table_9_AWY_GEN_07.pdf on 4 June 2012. Google Scholar11. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. New York: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 2012. Accessed at home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cardio/cardio-transfat-rest-food-info.shtml on 4 June 2012. Google Scholar12. Angell SY, Silver LD, Goldstein GP, Johnson CM, Deitcher DR, Frieden TR, et al. Cholesterol control beyond the clinic: New York City's trans fat restriction. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151:129-34. [PMID: 19620165] LinkGoogle Scholar13. Silver LD, Angell SY. Results of Public Hearing and Comments Received Regarding Amendment of Article 81 of the New York City Health Code Adding a New Section 81.08 to Limit the Use of Artificial Trans Fat in NYC Food Service Establishments (FSEs). New York: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 2006. Google Scholar14. Angell SY, Cobb LK, Curtis CJ, Konty KJ, Silver LD. Change in trans fatty acid content of fast-food purchases associated with New York City's restaurant regulation. A pre–post study. Ann Intern Med. 2012;157:81-6. LinkGoogle Scholar15. Fulgoni VL, Keast DR, Bailey RL, Dwyer J. Foods, fortificants, and supplements: where do Americans get their nutrients? J Nutr. 2011;141:1847-54. [PMID: 21865568] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. Astrup A, Dyerberg J, Elwood P, Hermansen K, Hu FB, Jakobsen MU, et al. The role of reducing intakes of saturated fat in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: where does the evidence stand in 2010? Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93:684-8. [PMID: 21270379] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar17. Appel LJ, Angell SY, Cobb LK, Limper HM, Nelson DE, Samet JM, et al. Population-wide sodium reduction: the bumpy road from evidence to policy. Ann Epidemiol. 2012;22:417-25. [PMID: 22626000] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Alice H. Lichtenstein, DScAffiliations: From Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.Disclosures: None disclosed. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M12-1321.Corresponding Author: Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111; e-mail, alice.[email protected]edu. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoChange in Trans Fatty Acid Content of Fast-Food Purchases Associated With New York City's Restaurant Regulation Sonia Y. Angell , Laura K. Cobb , Christine J. Curtis , Kevin J. Konty , and Lynn D. Silver Metrics Cited byIncreasing obesity odds among foreign-born New Yorkers are not explained by eating out, age at arrival, or duration of residence: results from NYC HANES 2004 and 2013/2014The Obesity Crisis as Market Failure: An Analysis of Systemic Causes and Corrective MechanismsTrans Fats and Risks of Cardiovascular DiseasesUnited States Agricultural PoliciesLiving in a 'fat swamp': exposure to multiple sources of accessible, cheap, energy-dense fast foods in a deprived communityFood and Beverage Policies and Public Health EthicsSustainable meat consumption in ChinaU.S. Agricultural Policies and the U.S. Food Industry: Production to RetailTemporal Trends in Fast-Food Restaurant Energy, Sodium, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat Content, United States, 1996–2013Sodium, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat Content Per 1,000 Kilocalories: Temporal Trends in Fast-Food Restaurants, United States, 2000–2013Dietary Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Past and PresentThe impact of trans fat regulation on social inequalities in coronary heart disease in AustraliaNutritional challenges and health implications of takeaway and fast foodChanges in Trans Fatty Acid ContentPaul R. Marantz, MD, MPH 17 July 2012Volume 157, Issue 2Page: 144-145KeywordsEatingFatsFoodMeatNutrientsOilsPrevention, policy, and public healthResearch designThiamineVitamin A ePublished: 17 July 2012 Issue Published: 17 July 2012 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2012 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...