WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy has removed partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of artificial trans fats in processed foods, across its portfolio of exclusive store brand food products. The move includes more than 600 snack and grocery options and comes a year and a half ahead of the Food and Drug Administration’s deadline of June 2018 for processed foods to be reformulated without artificial trans fats.
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| Judy Sansone, senior vice-president front store business and chief merchant, CVS Health |
“At CVS Pharmacy we are dedicated to helping our customers lead healthier lives and moved quickly to ensure all of our snack and grocery store brands products are free from artificial trans fats,” said Judy Sansone, senior vice-president front store business and chief merchant, CVS Health. “Our commitment to producing high quality products reinforces that CVS Pharmacy is a leading health destination.”
The early removal of artificial trans fats follows the retailer’s expansion of better-for-you foods to stores nationwide last year. CVS Pharmacy has moved better-for-you options toward the front of stores, dedicating a quarter of the front checkout space to such products, and began highlighting selections of paleo, raw and vegan snacks.
In addition, the company said it will expand its Gold Emblem Abound snack and grocery line with products that are free from artificial preservatives and flavors, including options that are gluten-free, USDA organic, Non-GMO Project verified, low in sodium, high in protein, a good source of fiber or sugar-free.
Consumption of artificial trans fats has been linked to rising rates of heart disease in the United States.
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| Eduardo Sanchez, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association |
