Why take action against trans fat

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• Why take action againsttrans fat?

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History
19001950 Hydrogenation is developed and
perfected, creating the first fats of vegetable
origin
1990Mensink and Katan publish landmark study
diets rich in trans fats conferred the least
favorable effects on serum cholesterol levels vs
diets rich in saturated fats or oleic acid
2006FDA mandates that the Nutrition Facts panels
of all packaged food labels must indicate the
quantityof trans fats per serving
19501990 Partially hydrogenated fats are
increasingly used as the public begins to reject
animal and tropical fats
19902000A meta-analysis of studies finds that
a 2 increase in energy intake from trans fats
was associated with a 23 increase in the
incidence of coronary heart disease
Source Eckel et al. Circulation.
20071152231-2246.
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Denmark regulated artificial trans fatsas of 2003

• Trans fats may not comprise gt2g/100g of oil/fat
• Trans fat free is defined as lt1g/100g of
  oil/fat in final product
• It is forbidden to sell products exceeding
  2g/100g oil/fat
• Punishable by up to 2 years prison

Source Leth et al. Atheroscler Supps.
2006753-56.
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Success in Denmark

• No noticeable effect on availability, price,
  taste, or shelf life of foods previously known to
  contain high amounts of artificial trans fats
• Trans fats were eliminated from
  margarines/spreads, without increasing the amount
  of SFA, and often with increase in cis-MUFA

Source Leth et al. Atheroscler Supps.
2006753-56.
5
Canada adopted a Parliamentary motion limiting
artificial trans fats

• Limit the total amount of trans fat in foods
• 2 of total fat content for all vegetable oils
  and soft spreadable (tub-type) margarines sold at
  retail
• 5 for all other foods
• Task force recommendations not yet implemented
• Industry been asked to reduce trans fats
  voluntarily
• Government regulation will be enforced if
  sufficient progress not made

Source TRANSforming the Food Supply Report of
the Trans Fat Task Force Submitted to the
Minister of Health June 2006 2006 Health Canada
report. Available at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrit
ion/gras-trans-fats/tf-ge/tf-gt_rep-rap-eng.php
Accessed January 9, 2009.
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Current and proposed legislation restricting use
of trans fats
Source National Conference of State
Legislatures. Available at http//www.ncsl.org/pr
ograms/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm
Accessed January 9, 2009.
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Legislation restricting use of menu labeling and
nutrition information
Source National Conference of State
Legislatures. Available at http//www.ncsl.org/pr
ograms/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm
Accessed January 9, 2009.
8
Cities and counties restricting trans fat usage
and labeling
Legislation or voluntary action in place
Legislation or voluntary action proposed
Source National Conference of State
Legislatures. Available at http//www.ncsl.org/pr
ograms/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm
Accessed January 9, 2009.
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States where trans fat legislation has been
defeated or barred
Source National Conference of State
Legislatures. Available at http//www.ncsl.org/pr
ograms/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm
Accessed January 9, 2009.
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Summary

• Need for dietary restriction of artificial trans
  fats is widely recognized by the academic
  community
• Some policy makers have recognized the need for
  regulation of artificial trans fatty acids
• Others are lagging as evidenced by defeated
  proposals
• No national level policy
• Its been done in Denmark