Cookies, french fries, and doughnuts may be tasty, but it’s no secret that they’re also unhealthy. One thing that makes junk foods particularly bad for people is that many contain artificial trans fats. Food manufacturers add these fats to some products to prevent them from spoiling. But according to the World Health Organization (WHO), trans fats contribute to about half a million heart disease deaths a year worldwide.
That alarming statistic led the WHO to recommend last May that all countries remove trans fats from the food supply by 2023. The U.S. has already taken measures to eliminate these fats as of June 2018 (see How to Find Trans Fats in Your Food). “Public health policies like these are the best way to keep the largest number of people healthy,” explains Jennifer Pomeranz, a professor of public health at New York University in New York City.
Cookies, french fries, and doughnuts may be tasty, but they’re also unhealthy. That’s no secret. What makes junk foods so bad for people? One thing is that many contain artificial trans fats. Food manufacturers add these fats to some products. This stops them from spoiling. But the World Health Organization (WHO) says that trans fats help cause about half a million heart disease deaths worldwide. And that’s every year.
That shocking number led the WHO to make a suggestion last May. It said that all countries should remove trans fats from the food supply by 2023. The U.S. has already taken steps to get rid of these fats as of June 2018 (see How to Find Trans Fats in Your Food). “Public health policies like these are the best way to keep the largest number of people healthy,” explains Jennifer Pomeranz. She’s a professor of public health at New York University in New York City.