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Presentation to the Committee on Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions

Presentation to the Committee on Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions. On Dr Rabinowitz’s Proposal on outlawing the use of transfats in food prepared for sale to the Public 19 November 2008.

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Presentation to the Committee on Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions

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  1. Presentation to the Committee on Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions On Dr Rabinowitz’s Proposal on outlawing the use of transfats in food prepared for sale to the Public 19 November 2008

  2. SA Food Labelling Regulations(Published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) • Current Regulation: R2034 of 29 October 1993 • Does not address trans fat indication at all • New draft: R642 of 20 July 2007 • Addresses trans fat indication pertinently: • Definition (excludes natural TFA’s) • List of ingredients: indicate “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated” • Mandatory declaration required of trans fat in Nutrition Information Table whenever a partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated fat has been used as an ingredient • Trans fat declaration is part of minimum info required for Nutrition information table when provided on label • No health or nutrition claim is permitted for any foodstuff that contains partially hydrogenated fat.

  3. What is trans fat? Definition TFA’s are the sum of all isomer fatty acids with 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 carbon atoms and one or more trans-conjugations, i.e. C14:1, C 16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:1, C20:2, C22:1, C22:2 trans isomer fatty acids, but only polyunsaturated fatty acids with methylen-disrupted double bonds. (exludes TFA’s naturally occurring in meat and dairy products)

  4. Natural vs man-made TFA’s • Difference? • Man-made = Industrially processed trans fatty acids (IP-TFA) obtained through chemical process of partial hydrogenation • Ruminant (dairy and meat) trans fats (trans-Vaccenic acid and conjugated linoleic acid) may have health benefits - scientific evidence so far very promising

  5. Global perspective 2005/2006 : WHO/FAO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health (GSDPH): • Identified Industrially processed trans fatty acids (IP-TFA) as one of the culprits of the global pandemic of chronic diseases of lifestyle (CHD, diabetes, cancer, obesity, syndrome X) • WHO’s recommendation: IP-TFA < 1% of energy intake

  6. Global perspective Codex Alimentarius • 2005: WHO instructed Codex to implement the Global strategy to reduce incidence of chronic diseases of lifestyle • Specifically 2 Committees were identified: CCNFSDU and CCFL • Codex Guideline on Nutrition Labelling allows National Authorities to decide on Trans fat declaration

  7. Codex… • 2006: SA’s official comments to CCNFSDU • proposed a global ban on IP-TFA • Manufacturers to seek alternative technologies without the harmful effects • Choose more appropriate type of fats (tropical oils and various fraction combinations) • 2008: CCFL prepared discussion document which was approved by Codex Commission as new work • Time frame for completion: + 5 years (+2013) • Definition for trans fat: Denmark, Canada and SA differ from Codex: exclude ruminant trans fats

  8. Strategies implemented by other countries Denmark • 2003: Legislation implemented to prohibit the use of fats and oils containing more than 2% IP-TFA • Virtually eliminated the Danish consumer’s intake of IP-TFA • Dramatically reduced the associated health risks • EU Industry complained: Denmark’s response was “No and if necessary the case would be brought to court” • 2004: Investigate availability of high-trans-fat-menu on global scale • 2005: Public surveillance programme found it was impossible to ingest more than 1 g IP-TFA on a daily basis in Denmark

  9. Strategies implemented by other countries Denmark (cont) Survey: Global High TFA’s menus: • 714 samples (fast foods from McDonalds, KFC etc. and other foods with a nutritionally insignificant (high-energy-nutrient-poor) profile from around the globe were analysed. • Conclusion: Frightening statistics: Frying oils differ substantially even within the same chain in different countries • SA: McDonalds outlets – contained 23-28% IP-TFA

  10. Strategies implemented by other countries… USA • 2005: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene • Introduced a voluntary programme involving restaurateurs and food suppliers - make oil change to eliminate IP-TFA from their kitchens - letters were sent to 20,000 restaurants and 14,000 supermarkets (Not possible in SA!) • Supported by American Heart Foundation and FDA • From 1 January 2006: FDA required trans fat to be listed on all nutrition labels. • USA have mandatory Nutrition Labelling system for all foods (SA currently requires mandatory Nutrition Labelling only when a claim is made – otherwise nutrition info is a voluntary decision of manufacturer

  11. Foods affected by TFA’s • All high-energy-low-in-good-nutrients foods • Baked foods (pies, muffins, biscuits, salty crackers, certain breads e.g., hamburger buns) • Brick-type margarines – Unilever voluntarily reduced IP-TFA in all their margarines, fat spreads and oils to maximum 1 % • Commercial fry oils intended for use in fast food outlets and restaurants • Deep-fried and pre-fried foods (french fries, fish, chicken, sausages, nuggets, doughnuts, vetkoek etc.) • Snack foods (packaged and microwave popcorn, candy, savoury type snacks such as potato and maize chips, hot beverage type drinks , non-dairy tea and coffee creamers)

  12. Opinion of the Department of Health • 2 Options open for SA: • 1. Continue with finalizing new Labelling Regulations – delay of several more months due to Nutrient Profiling Model not available • 2. Combine Strategies used by Denmark and USA • Ban the use of IP-TFA in all prepared foods/ingredients manufactured in SA as well as pre-packed foods and bulk ingredients imported into SA • Include fast foods outlets, restaurants and in-store kitchens

  13. Conclusion • Department of Health support 2nd option • It will accelerate and greatly speed up (even practically eliminate) the desired reduction in risk of chronic diseases of lifestyle associated with IP-TFA • Consumer education in respect of healthy diet choices critically important • Certain challenges involved in respect of law enforcement - may need to involve more than one Government Department

  14. Thank you for your attention!

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