Composition of fatty acids in selected sorts of biscuits, offered for children

Abstract

The fatty acid (FA) composition, especially total trans-fatty acids (TFA) content in 12 assortments of biscuits offered for children, produced by four different companies, were determined by gas chromatography. Total fat content of the biscuit samples ranged from 2.2 to 22.8 g/100 g of product. The major FAs were palmitic C16:0, oleic C18:1, and linoleic C18:2 acids. Depending on the biscuit type, the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) content was between 14.8% and 60%, total monoenoic FA (MUFA) 32.4% and 57.5%, and polyenoic FA (PUFA) 5.8% and 26.8%. The results of the examination of total FA composition of samples have shown a very large variation in the content of TFA in the biscuits produced by different plants. The total FA content ranged from 0.5 to 8.8%. The levels of TFA in studied biscuits offered for children were relatively low by comparison with products from other countries. According to the regulatory approach Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (2003), the levels of TFA in examined samples did not exceed the limited value of 2 g/100 g of product. Furthermore, these contents of TFA are conforming to the requirements under European Union Food Law.