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I just checked what the Finnish wikipedia has to say about trans fats last night, and it makes the claim that margarine's trans fat content is <= 0.5% while veg

by clarry 10y ago

I just checked what the Finnish wikipedia has to say about trans fats last night, and it makes the claim that margarine's trans fat content is <= 0.5% while vegetable oils contain none of it, and butter contains 2%. All numbers are low enough that the trans-fat content isn't a concern, but butter is comparatively worse. Apparently studies show similar numbers in Sweden.

maxerickson 10y ago
Historically many margarines were made using partially hydrogenated oils. That was discontinued in recent decades. Partially hydrogenated oils were also popular for deep frying (they last longer).
- justin66 10y ago
  Partially hydrogenated oils are shelf-stable, so they're used in a lot of individually-wrapped junk food items. That kind of stuff should be left out of just about any diet.
  - maxerickson 10y ago
    It used to be the case. It isn't any longer. It's one of the reasons that packaging got more annoying in recent years. In addition to consumer preferences, the FDA called for a phase out in 2015: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.htm http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.ht...
    - justin66 10y ago
      If you're saying the phase-out is really happening and widespread, that's great. Nothing could make me happier. Partially hydrogenated oils are basically poison. I've noticed them falling off the ingredients list of some of the junk in the store.
      - maxerickson 10y ago
        Yes, it's real. For example: https://www.generalmills.com/Health/improving-health/reducing-trans-fat https://www.generalmills.com/Health/improving-health/reducin... The consumer preference things is real too. Here's Kraft working to avoid "trans fats" on their labels in 2005: http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Kraft-slashes-trans-fats-in-time-for-labeling-deadline http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Kraft-slashes-tr...

by clarry 10y ago

maxerickson 10y ago

Historically many margarines were made using partially hydrogenated oils. That was discontinued in recent decades. Partially hydrogenated oils were also popular for deep frying (they last longer).

justin66 10y ago
Partially hydrogenated oils are shelf-stable, so they're used in a lot of individually-wrapped junk food items. That kind of stuff should be left out of just about any diet.
- maxerickson 10y ago
  It used to be the case. It isn't any longer. It's one of the reasons that packaging got more annoying in recent years. In addition to consumer preferences, the FDA called for a phase out in 2015: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.htm http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.ht...
  - justin66 10y ago
    If you're saying the phase-out is really happening and widespread, that's great. Nothing could make me happier. Partially hydrogenated oils are basically poison. I've noticed them falling off the ingredients list of some of the junk in the store.
    - maxerickson 10y ago
      Yes, it's real. For example: https://www.generalmills.com/Health/improving-health/reducing-trans-fat https://www.generalmills.com/Health/improving-health/reducin... The consumer preference things is real too. Here's Kraft working to avoid "trans fats" on their labels in 2005: http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Kraft-slashes-trans-fats-in-time-for-labeling-deadline http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Kraft-slashes-tr...