Complain about a product or service

High-Fat Foods Making "No Trans Fat" Claims

March 20, 2006

Trans Fats • Court Rebuffs Burger King in Trans Fat Case • Dunkin’ Donuts to Dump the Trans Fat • Burger King Hit With Trans Fat Lawsuit • KFC Removes Trans Fat From Chicken Fryers • Harvard Study Links Trans Fat To Heart Disease • Burger King Testing Trans Fat-Free Cooking Oils • Starbucks Cuts Trans Fats • Scientists Claim Development Of "Healthy" Trans Fat • Loews Hotels Ban Trans Fat from Menus • New York City Bans Trans Fats in Restaurants • KFC Plans To Cut The Trans Fat • New York City Considers Trans Fat Ban • Researchers: Food Labels Should List All Fats • KFC Sued Over Artery-Clogging Oils • Wendy's Cuts Trans Fats in Fries and Chicken --- • More ...

The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take enforcement action against companies making misleading trans-fat claims on food labels.

CSPI says that any claim of "0 grams trans" on foods high in saturated fat is inherently misleading, since consumers might think such a product is good for one's heart health.

Manufacturers such as Sara Lee, Mrs. Smith's, and Nestle misleadingly label several of their products "0 grams trans," even though they have 4 to 11 grams of artery-clogging saturated fat. The FDA considers 4 grams and up to be a high level of saturated fat.

"Just because a food doesn't have any trans fat doesn't by itself make it a health food," said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. "Companies shouldn't foster confusion by making trans-fat claims on foods high in saturated fat, and the FDA shouldn't let them get away with it."

The products described in CSPI's complaint are:

• Mrs. Smith's Apple Pie: A prominent red banner over the brand name states "0g trans fat per serving." One serving of the product contains 7 grams of saturated fat.

• Mrs. Paul's Crunchy Fish Fillets: A banner stating "0 grams trans fat per serving" appears directly above the brand name. One serving of the product contains 5 grams of saturated fat.

• Spectrum: Organic All Vegetable Shortening: A yellow highlighted batter stating "0 grams trans fat" appears on the front label. One serving of the product contains 6 grams of saturated fat.

• Nestle Crunch Ice Cream Bars: A banner over the large-print word "Crunch" states that there is "0g trans fat!" One serving of the product contains 11 grams of saturated fat.

• Sara Lee Pumpkin Pie: The label states that the product has "zero 0g transfat." One serving of the product contains 4 grams of saturated fat.

The FDA currently prohibits food companies from making "saturated fat free" claims for foods that have virtually any trans fat. CSPI says the agency should have a corresponding rule prohibiting "0 grams trans" claims on foods high in saturated fat.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.