Answer :
Final answer:
The overwhelming majority of trans fats in diets come from artificial hydrogenation, a process used to solidify oils for processed foods. Due to health risks such as increased 'bad' cholesterol (LDL), the FDA has banned these trans fats from being manufactured in the U.S. food supply.
Explanation:
The majority of trans fats in most people's diets comes from a process known as artificial hydrogenation. This method involves bubbling hydrogen gas through oils to transform them into a semi-solid state desired for many processed foods. During the artificial hydrogenation process, the molecular structure of the oil changes, converting some of the naturally occurring cis double bonds into trans double bonds.
The use of partially hydrogenated oils was once prevalent in the production of various food items due to their extended shelf life and desirable texture. Food items such as margarine, frozen pizza, and commercially baked goods often contained trans fats. However, due to health risks associated with the consumption of trans fats—such as an increase in 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) levels and a subsequent higher risk of heart disease—the FDA has taken steps to eliminate these fats from the U.S. food supply.
Laws now require food labels to list trans fat content, and as of 2021, the manufacturing of trans fats is no longer allowed in the food industry in the United States.
