In 2006, the government began requiring that food manufacturers include the amount of trans fats per serving on nutritional labels, prompting many companies to phase them out of products. But they are still widely found in processed foods. Some of the foods affected by the ban include:
* Crackers, cookies and other snack foods
* Packaged baked goods and frozen pies
* Microwave popcorn
* Frozen pizza
* Vegetable shortenings and stick margarines
* Coffee creamers
* Refrigerated dough products (such as biscuits and cinnamon rolls)
* Ready-to-use frostings
Studies have linked partially hydrogenated oils to an increased risk of coronary heart disease — the leading cause of death in the U.S — and higher levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol.
New York was the first city to ban trans fats in 2007, and other cities and states have followed suit. A 2012 study found that the amount of trans fats consumed by New Yorkers dropped considerably after the ban.
Mayor Bloomberg weighed in on the FDA decision Thursday, saying his administration was "greatly encouraged" by the proposed measures.
“Our prohibition on trans fats was one of many bold public health measures that faced fierce initial criticism, only to gain widespread acceptance and support," Bloomberg said. "The groundbreaking public health policies we have adopted here in New York City have become a model for the nation for one reason: They've worked.
"Today, New Yorkers’ life expectancy is far higher than the national average, and we've achieved dramatic reductions in disease, including heart disease. The FDA deserves great credit for taking this step, which will help Americans live longer, healthier lives.”
Trans fat intake among American consumers declined from 4.6 grams per day in 2003 to around one gram per day in 2012, according to the FDA.
The FDA proposal is open for comment for the next two months, after which officials will set a timeline for the phase-out. Different foods may have different timelines to allow manufacturers time to find substitute ingredients.
"We want to do it in a way that doesn't unduly disrupt markets," Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, told the AP. The food industry, he said, "has demonstrated that it is by and large feasible to do."
