A representation of New Pioneer Food Co-op's third store, to open in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

New Pioneer Food Co-op, which will open a store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, notes that foods with trans fats are not found in its stores.

The FDA took steps this week to reduce trans fats in our foods, after acknowledging that partially hydrogenated oils, the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe.”

In making the announcement, the agency stated that reducing trans fat intake could prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths.

Web MD notes that trans fats sometimes are still used in this list of foods:

  • Cookies, crackers, cakes, muffins, pie crusts, pizza dough, and breads such as hamburger buns
  • Some stick margarine and vegetable shortening
  • Pre-mixed cake mixes, pancake mixes, and chocolate drink mixes
  • Fried foods, including donuts, French fries, chicken nuggets, and hard taco shells
  • Snack foods, including chips, candy, and packaged or microwave popcorn
  • Frozen dinners

A news release today from Iowa City-based New Pioneer Co-op, which will soon open a store in Cedar Rapids,  notes that none of those products are found in their stores. Here is the FDA’s announcement, plus more from New Pi:

IowaCity – On November 7, 2013, the FDA announced that partially hydrogenated oils (commonly known as trans fats) are “not ‘generally recognized as safe’ for use in food.”

Trans fats have been known to contribute to heart disease for years. Many manufacturers have voluntarily removed most trans fats from products, but up until now the FDA has allowed food labels to say “zero trans-fat” if amounts are below 0.5 gram per serving. After a 60-day comment period, the FDA is expected to follow through with requiring the removal of trans fats from processed foods. This is a critical move in protecting the health of millions of Americans. For more information, see: http://s.coop/1tkip

Mounting evidence on health effects of artificial food dyes (many derived from coal tar and other carcinogenic compounds) has pushed public awareness of their dangers. Major companies are now also taking dyes out of their products – mac & cheese, for example. Some have reformulated products for sale in the UnitedKingdom, where stricter food additive laws limit use of artificial dyes.

New Pioneer Food Co-op has a stringent product policy and does not sell products containing artificial food dyes or trans fats. New Pi Soilmates garden educator Scott Koepke loves to talk about the product policy at New Pi: “You can literally hold out your arms in any direction, pull any item off the shelf, and it is safe to eat. New Pi has done the homework!” For information on New Pioneer’s product policy, please visit: http://newpi.coop/Products/ProductsOverview.aspx

New Pioneer Cooperative Society was founded as a natural foods cooperative grocery in Iowa City in 1971, and opened its Coralville branch in 2001. Today, New Pi is a thriving two-store food co-op with over 29,000 members. The stores provide local, organic, and natural foods to the Iowa City and Coralville area and everyone is welcome to shop. New Pi is located at 22 S. Van Buren St. in Iowa City and at 1101 2nd St. in Coralville. Please visit www.newpi.coop for more information.