Originally published September 30 2005
While awaiting labels' disclosure of trans fat content, Consumer Reports tests crackers for consumers
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
According to KFOXTV 14, food manufacturers will be required to disclose the trans fat content of their product by next year, but Consumer Reports tested a variety of crackers in order to reveal their transfat content in the meantime.
You've probably heard a lot about trans fat in food, and how they affect your cholesterol levels, and are linked to heart disease.
Starting next year, many foods, including crackers, will have to list how much trans fat they contain.
In this Consumer Watch Report, we test crackers for trans fat, to help you find which are the healthiest.
"Trans fat is of great concern because it not only elevates the bad cholesterol, the LDL, but it also lowers HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol."
Consumer Reports' Linda Greene says lab tests found some crackers contain from one-half to two-and-a-half grams of trans fat per ounce.
Some cracker boxes do say zero grams of trans fat.
But, if the box doesn't tell you, you have to do some detective work.
"The way to tell is to look at the ingredient line and see if it lists partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Consumer Reports says along with trans fat, you have to be concerned about the total fat in crackers.
Ritz crackers contain close to a gram of fat per cracker; so do Keeblers Townhouse Originals.
"Best choices in crackers are those that are lower in calories and fat and the crackers should contain no trans fat and no saturated fat," Greene told us.
Consumer Reports says some good choices are Wasa Multi-Grain Crispbread, Kashi TLC Original Seven Grain and Low Fat Whole Wheat crackers from Health Valley.
They're a perfect start to a healthy appetizer.
Our testers tell us that another health concern with crackers is the amount of salt some of them contain.
Both Wasa Multi-Grain Crispbread and Kashi TLC Original are fairly low in sodium.
For more helpful consumer information, visit *Consumer Reports on the web.
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