Why take action against trans fat?

1. Why take action againsttrans fat?

2. History 1900—1950 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 1950—1990 Partially hydrogenated fats are increasingly used as the public begins to reject animal and tropical fats 1990—2000A 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. 2007;115:2231-2246.

3. Denmark regulated artificial trans fatsas of 2003 • Trans fats may not comprise >2g/100g of oil/fat • “Trans fat free” is defined as <1g/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. 2006;7:53-56.

4. 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. 2006;7:53-56.

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/nutrition/gras-trans-fats/tf-ge/tf-gt_rep-rap-eng.php Accessed January 9, 2009.

6. Partial legislation passed Legislation passed Legislation proposed Current and proposed legislation restricting use of trans fats Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. Available at: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm Accessed January 9, 2009.

7. Partial legislation passed Legislation passed Legislation proposed Legislation restricting use of menu labeling and nutrition information Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. Available at: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/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/programs/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm Accessed January 9, 2009.

9. Legislation defeated States where trans fat legislation has been defeated or barred Source: National Conference of State Legislatures. Available at: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/transfatmenulabelingbills.htm Accessed January 9, 2009.

10. 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 • It’s been done in Denmark…