Trans Fats and Girl Scout Cookies: Why should you care? New guidelines released by the government on January 12, 2005 recommend that Americans limit trans fat consumption to no more than 2 grams per day. For the upcoming Girl Scout Cookie season, five of ABC Bakers’ eight items - including the “flagship” Girl Scout Cookie, Thin Mints, and the ever popular Caramel deLites® - will have a nutritional value of zero grams trans fat

per serving. Two varieties will have 1 gram of trans fat per serving and one variety will have 1.5 grams per serving. In 2006-07, all eight of ABC’s Girl Scout cookies will have zero grams trans fat per serving . in early November) by taking preorders and delivers the cookies throughout the month of January.

THE FACTS ABOUT TRANS FAT:
There is an increasing body of research that indicates that trans fats in our food can contribute to a number of health problems, possibly including breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration and diabetes. Some of the latest research indicates trans fats may be linked to premature aging, memory loss, reproductive problems and immune dysfunction.

Trans fats were introduced in the early 20th century and became very popular in the 1950’s because they were less expensive and thought to be a healthier alternative to saturated fats. Trans fats are described as “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” because adding hydrogen molecules to unsaturated liquid fats creates them. Hydrogenation makes the oils solid or semi-solid at room temperature, leading to the development of “butter replacement” products such as spreads made from corn oil. These substitutes found a place on many post-war American tables due to both cost and the belief that, because they were made from unsaturated fats, they were healthier than saturated fats like butter.

Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils were used in commercial products for the same reasons as well as for other properties such a creamy texture and a long shelf life. Over the years, there was a proliferation of products containing trans fats in response to demands for both home and commercial use.

It is now known that there is an important difference between saturated fats and trans fats. The former increases both good and bad cholesterol while the latter raises bad cholesterol without boosting good cholesterol. This means that trans fats are potentially more damaging to the heart than saturated fats.

Now that the prevailing wisdom about trans fats has changed, cooks in homes, restaurants and food manufacturing facilities are seeking to reduce or eliminate the use of trans fats. Beginning January 2006, all packaged food in the U.S. must show trans fat content as part of the nutritional labeling. Realizing that this will focus the attention of consumers on the issue and give them the tools they need to make an informed choice about trans fat content, commercial food companies are burning the midnight oil to remove trans fats from their products prior to the January 2006 deadline.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GIRL SCOUTING:
ABC has taken a leadership role and is proud to offer five Girl Scout Cookie varieties in 2005-06 that will have zero grams trans fat per serving. They are:

The other three varieties are well within the government’s guidelines for trans fat consumption. Peanut Butter Sandwich and Reduced Fat Lemon Pastry Crèmes® have 1 gram of trans fat per serving and Shortbread has 1.5 grams of trans fat per serving. For the 2006-07 season, all eight of ABC’s Girl Scout Cookies will have zero grams trans fat per serving. Great news for consumers, ABC Council Partners– and Girl Scouting!