WASHINGTON -- The Food and Drug Administration announced plans to undertake a public survey of consumers to determine the best method of describing trans fats on food packages. The agency said it would use the information from the study to evaluate regulatory and policy options. While trans fats have been subject to declaration on Nutrition Facts panels since January of this year, the information contains inconsistencies that are at odds with other data on the panel. One possible option would be the use of footnotes or general suggestions regarding trans fats‘ impact on human health. Meanwhile, the artery-clogging substance has become the subject of a possible ban in the state of Massachusetts, where legislation would make it the first state in the country to prohibit the use of trans fats in restaurants. The move follows a similar ban enacted in New York City earlier this month.
