How to eliminate artificial trans fat 

Determine if your foods contain artificial trans fat

First, check the Nutrition Facts Panel. If the panel indicates no trans fat or less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, you may use the product.

If there is no Nutrition Facts Panel, check the ingredient list to see whether any "partially hydrogenated" ingredients are listed. If the words "partially hydrogenated" appear request a letter from the manufacturer listing the amount of trans fat grams per serving.

If there is no Nutrition Facts Panel and no ingredient list, request a letter from the manufacturer listing the amount of trans fat per serving.

Only use products with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. The information must be on the manufacturer's letterhead, or other documentation from the manufacturer with company name and address. Keep the letter or other documentation to show a Public Health inspector if asked.

Common sources of artificial trans fat

Food items that may contain artificial trans fat include:

• Baked goods (cookies, crackers, cakes, pies, muffins, fried taco shells, tortilla wraps, and some breads, such as hamburger buns)
• Toppings for baked goods and ice cream (sprinkles, chocolate chips, non-dairy whipped toppings, syrups, icings, and candy coatings)
• Pre-mixed products (cake, pancake, and chocolate drink mix; pizza dough; laminated doughs)
• Pre-fried or par-fried frozen foods (french fries, onion rings, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, frozen pie crust, frozen dough, egg rolls)
• Nacho cheese sauce, salad dressing, non-dairy creamer
• Bread crumbs and croutons. Note: these foods may be exempt from the trans fat regulations if they are served to customers in the manufacturer's sealed, original packaging.

Trans fat alternatives

There are many types of oils, shortenings, margarines, spreads and other products that contain no artificial trans fat. Talk to your distributor about trans fat-free products, and experiment with non-trans fat products.

Pre-packaged food exemptions

Pre-packaged foods sold in the original package are not affected by the legislation. Interstate commerce regulations prohibit these pre-packaged products from being included in the scope of the proposed legislation.

What to do about unlabeled products

Fresh, unprocessed agricultural products such as fresh vegetables, fresh eggs, and raw meat, poultry, and eggs do not require a label. Everything else needs some form of documentation. Check your kitchen and storerooms for unlabeled products. If you find an item without a label, ask your supplier to provide a label or appropriate documentation.

If you are buying unlabeled baked goods or other freshly-made foods directly from the producer, a letter from the producer instead of a label is acceptable. The letter should contain the following information:

• The producer's name, address and phone number
• Item name
• Serving size
• Item ingredients, listed from heaviest to lightest

If the words "margarine," "shortening" or "partially hydrogenated [vegetable] oil" appear in the ingredient list, the letter must include the trans fat content per serving.

Choosing new products with 0 grams of trans fat

Manufacturers of prepared foods and mixes have been working hard to eliminate artificial trans fat. Many familiar brands are already made with 0 grams of trans fat. If your suppliers are not stocking 0 grams trans fat versions of the products you need, talk to them about making the switch as soon as possible.