Nanny State: The Food and Drug Administration has given food manufacturers three years to remove trans fats from their products. Let us count the ways this is yet another misuse of government power.
The FDA announced Tuesday that because partially hydrogenated oils, "the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods," are not "generally recognized as safe," it is banning them. FDA Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff says the prohibition "demonstrates the agency's commitment to the heart health of all Americans."
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| Doughnuts are fried in cooking oil. Consumption of trans fats fell 80% from 2003 to 2012. AP |
Despite the FDA's zealous argument, we see no compelling reason for the ban. In fact, we can think of five reasons it shouldn't be imposed:
• If government can ban trans fats, is there anything that it can't ban? Will it stop there? Absolutely not. Government regulators have long dreamed of restricting, and in some cases outright banning, sugar, salt, red meat, alcohol, caffeine and raw milk.
• Consumption of trans fats fell 80% from 2003 to 2012. There's no reason for the federal government to step in when Americans have already decided for themselves they don't want trans fats in their diets.
• The FDA already requires food product labels to list trans fat content. The sharp decline in consumption mentioned above preceded the implementation of this rule by three years. It's time the government recognized that market forces work — and better than government rules.Read the rest of the story HERE.
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