Insights, Issues & Istook

Artificial trans fats are being banned. Trans fat occurs naturally in milk products and in meats like beef. Those are not restricted by the FDA's new ban. Only the “artificial” trans fat is banned. But the grocers and restaurants began phasing those out years ago. What will replace it, and how will it taste? The substitute could be something that itself gets banned years from now. After all, trans fats came in vogue after the feds banned some saturated fats 30 years ago. A better question is the FDA's proper role. Transfat may not be healthy but it's not poison. The Food and Drug Administration is supposed to decide whether things are safe, not whether they're healthy. So watch out, next they'll restrict sugar, salt, and caffeine.  If they can tell us what we cannot eat, then they can tell us what we must eat. So bring on the broccoli. Find more insights online at .  Former Congressman Istook is president of .