(no subject)

[felicula]

I've been researching trans fats since I noticed a trend in labelling listing "0% Trans Fat" in the nutrition information even though there was partially hydrogenated oil listed as an ingredient.

FDA Trans Fat Nutrition Labelling FAQ
FDA Trans Fat Page
Ban Trans Fats: About Trans Fats

Sure, I can agree that "No trans fat per serving" allows for some to be in there, but as a portion of the first ingredient of a package? The example that got me started was the Brummel & Brown spread. The first ingredient text reads, "vegetable oil blend (liquid soybean oil and partially hydrogenated soybean oil". Then I took a peek at the peanut butter in the cupboard. Its trans fat was listed as 0%, but the second ingredient is "partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (cottonseed and rapeseed)".

I'm wondering if these things get away with it because of serving size. Total serving size on the B&B spread is 1 tablespoon, containing 45 calories. The peanut butter (Peter Pan crunchy, a deposit from my parents) listed it's serving size as 2 tablespoons. Calories were listed as 190.

I looked at a container of the Wegmans Creamy Peanut Spread (their reduced fat peanut butter). It reduces fat, but not calories: 190 calories per 2 tablespoons. It was nice to see, though that the "fully hydrogenated vegetable oils (rapeseed, cottonseed, and soybean)" didn't show up until the "contains less than 2% of" section. It made up its body with corn syrup solids and molasses.

I looked at a tub of Country Crock and saw their first ingredient as "liquid soybean oil and partially hydrogenated soybean oil". At first, I though "A-ha! Look at the unabashed trans fats..." Then I realized it sounded a lot like the first ingredient in the Brummel & Brown. For a 1 tablespoon serving size, it was 60 calories. The package I'm looking at doesn't list trans fats, and technically doesn't have to until 2006.

The downside to the Wegmans reduced fat peanut spread is that it doesn't spread as well. It tends to lump a bit stickily. It isn't reduced calorie either. It's more expensive. On the upside, it's rather tasty.

The downside to the Brummel & Brown spread is that it's relative lack of oiliness makes me crave it akin to cream cheese or yogurt. I find myself wanting to find excuses to put it on things that I wouldn't have used butterishness on prior to trying B&B. It's a touch more expensive that the standard tub spreads too. Still, it's low calories per serving is rather impressive. I only hope I can control how many servings I want to ingest!

I've still got many different brands that I haven't looked into or tried. I'm thinking of spending more time exploring the products and their packaging.