TRANS FAT   In general Furmano Foods products are Trans Fat Free.   Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food companies to list trans fat content separately on the Nutrition Facts panel of all packaged foods.

Q.   What is Trans Fat? A.   Basically, trans fat is made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil-a process called hydrogenation.  Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats.  Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Q.   Why should I be concerned? A.   Of the various types of fats found in foods, trans fats are considered to be one of the least healthy.  Trans fats may raise levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, while reducing levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which removes LDL cholesterol from arteries and deposits it in the liver for disposal.  High levels of LDL and low levels of HDL have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.  Trans fat consumption has also been linked to diabetes and liver dysfunction.