[Blackwell:] If you are having pancakes for breakfast, maybe a Danish or muffin, it all sounds good. But the FDA's push to ban trans fats could forever change your breakfast and some of your other favorite foods.
[Paul:] Yes, we are not just talking about what you are buying at the supermarket either. I mean, this could have a huge impact on your local bakery and maybe your favorite croissants. CNN's Alexandra Field has more from New York.
[Thomas Gencarelli, Brother's Quality Baker:] We haven't changed recipes in 40 years. Everything is old school, old fashion.
[Field:] New federal regulations could soon force Thomas Gencarelli to change the way he's always made the doughnuts at Brother's Quality Bakery goods in New Jersey. [on camera]: This is how you make the doughnuts?
[Gencarelli:] This is where we fry the doughnuts inside this oil.
[Field:] That oil is all purpose vegetable shortening. It contains artificial trans fats, which the Food and Drug Administration is now taking steps to ban. The American Medical Association calls that a life-saving move that can help keep the public healthy. Anthony says there are no trans fats in most of his baked goods. For the health benefits, he supports a trans fat ban even it means changing some of the recipes in his bakery even if it means getting rid of a top selling Italian pastry.
[Unidentified Male:] Without it, you are not going to get this type of flakiness in the dough.
[Field:] Trans fats is found in processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. It's been linked to heart disease and for years now, it's been under attack. In 2007, New York City banned restaurants from using artificial trans fats and in recent years, more and more fast food chains and food manufacturers are voluntarily moved the switch to healthier oils.
[Dan Glickman, Former Agriculture Secretary:] I don't think it is really a taste issue. It was cheaper for the food companies to do this over the years, but now most of the science says we have to get it out of the food supply.
[Field:] Not everyone agrees. In New Jersey, Gencarelli says every year he uses 15,000 pounds of shortening with trans fat in order to get time-tested recipes just right.
[Gencarelli:] It will change the taste of the doughnuts and quality of the doughnut. It will change the texture.
[Field:] Gencarelli believes there is no need for new regulations. It is always been up to consumers to practice moderation.
[Gencarelli:] I believe it's not going to kill you as long as you don't eat a pan of doughnuts.
[Blackwell:] So Alexandra is with us now. What's the cost? I mean, this could be passed on to the consumer. The cost of eliminating the trans fats from more foods. If there's a ban, will we have to pay more?
[Field:] Well, Victor, the bakers that we've spoke to say they won't know what their costs will be until they plays around with the recipes and see what substitutes they might us. But the former Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, who you heard from that piece, he points out that a lot of the fastfood chains have been using these substitutes for years without noticeable impact on food prices.
[Paul:] Alexandra Field, thank you so much. We appreciate it. I hope we didn't ruin your breakfast now.
[Blackwell:] Still to come on NEW DAY, embattled football star, Richie Incognito, is spending time away from Miami after the Dolphins suspended him in a bullying scandal. It's really rocked the NFL. We have the latest on that just ahead.