Dear friends, supporters, and advocates for a healthier future,

We, The People, are taking a stand for our health and the quality of our food. Today, we launch a petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reassess, regulate, and eliminate the use of chemically processed oils in our food supply and in restaurants, and to promote safer, healthier, and more natural methods like expeller pressing, cold pressing, and organic extraction of oils.

Chemically refined oils are pervasive in our food system. These oils, often labeled as 'vegetable oil,' includes corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean, and canola oil. During the chemical refining, these oils are bleached and deodorized, leading to the loss of natural nutrients and a high concentration of trans fats. Trans fats have been unequivocally associated with heart diseases, increasing levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol, and decreasing levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol.

We demand action from the FDA in three distinct areas:

1. **Chemical refining ban:** End the chemical treatment of oils, including hydrogenation, and the use of chemical solvents.

2. **Healthy alternatives:** Promote the use of healthier alternatives such as 'expeller pressed', 'cold pressed', and the use of "organic" extraction of oils. These processes retain a large amount of the oil's original flavor and nutrition content, and don't use heat or chemicals.

3. **Label accuracy and transparency:** Mandate clear labeling of oil processing methods on all food products, including exact amount of trans fats. Currently on labels, zero trans fats per serving equals 0.5 grams of trans fats. Allowing companies to state "zero trans fats" when there are actually 0.5 grams trans fats per serving! 

A study published in the BMJ in 2019 found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods, including those that were high in refined oils, had a higher risk of death from all causes. The study followed over 40,000 people for an average of 10 years.

Ultra-processed foods are foods that are made with multiple ingredients and additives, including refined oils. Refined oils are oils that have been processed to remove impurities, such as natural antioxidants and fatty acids. This processing makes them more stable and longer-lasting, but it also removes some of their nutrients.

The researchers found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods had a 62% increased risk of all-cause mortality. This risk was even higher for people who ate ultra-processed foods that were high in refined oils.

Link to study: https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l1949

Please share this information as much as possible to spread awareness to help people live healthier lives!

You can make a difference!

Link to YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/SrvsuVoM5HA?si=gjUWfuK7uCGvtwtJ

If you want to learn more about scientific dietary information, visit https://itmatterswhatyoueat.com/ 

Take care!