Sayonara, trans fat

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently finalized rules that will, over the next three years, almost completely remove trans fat from the American food supply.

In 2006, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to clearly label the amounts of trans fat, intake of which has long been associated with heart disease, according to SFGate.com. In its most recent announcement, the FDA has officially declared trans fat—often listed on ingredient labels as “partially hydrogenated oil”—dangerous to human health, even in small amounts. Exemptions will be made for trans fat occurring naturally in some meat and dairy products.

While most food manufacturers have, due to public criticism, already stopped using trans fat, the FDA's label requirements have allowed up to a half gram per serving without noting it on the label. The new ban will close that loophole.