Consumer protection through a legislative ban on industrially produced trans fatty acids in foods in Denmark

Steen Stender,Arne Astrup,Jørn Dyerberg

doi:10.3402/fnr.v50i4.1596

Abstract

Legislation has, within a few years, virtually eliminated the intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP-TFA) in Denmark, by banning any food with an IP-TFA content greater than 2% of total fat. This accomplishment has been obtained without noticeable effects on the availability, price or quality of foods previously containing high amounts of IP-TFA. Various public health organizations, including the World Health Organization, have recommended reducing the consumption of IP-TFA, and efforts have been made in several countries to comply, through the mandatory TFA labelling of prepackaged food, societal pressure and industrial initiatives to lower the content of IP-TFA in foods. Yet still, high concentrations of IP-TFA are found in popular foods in several countries including Norway and Sweden. This indicates that millions of people currently have intakes of IP-TFA that increase their risk of coronary heart disease. The Danish experience demonstrates that this risk can be eliminated. Keywords: fast food; labelling; legislation; recommendations; regulation; snack; trans fatty acids

Highlights

Introduction and backgroundThe trans fatty acid (TFA) story in Denmark began when Willett and co-workers published an article in the Lancet in 1993 demonstrating a positive association between the intake of TFA and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) [1]
Upon reviewing this and other evidence, the Danish Food Agency concluded that there were no grounds for new guidelines and advised the public to follow the existing dietary recommendations because ‘‘Currently there is not sufficient evidence to recommend a specific reduction in the intake of trans fatty acids.’’ At this point in time, the Danish Nutrition Council (DNC) clearly had little or no support for its initiative
63 fast food items were bought from McDonald’s and/or Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets in 30 different countries; 110 bags of microwave popcorn were bought in 29 countries; and 476 biscuits/cakes/wafers were bought in 28 countries in large supermarkets if ‘‘partially hydrogenated fat’’ or similar terms were listed among the three first ingredients on the food label, and if the fat content was higher than 15%

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and backgroundThe trans fatty acid (TFA) story in Denmark began when Willett and co-workers published an article in the Lancet in 1993 demonstrating a positive association between the intake of TFA and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) [1]. An expert group within the Swedish Nutrition Foundation stated in October 1993: ‘‘The metabolism of trans fatty acids has been studied in detail in animals and man during the last 20 years’’, ‘‘Trans fat and saturated fat exert similar effects from a health perspective’’ and ‘‘Recent epidemiological studies from the USA are difficult to interpret, and it cannot be judged from these studies if the intake of trans fatty acids in a normal mixed Scandinavian diet may contribute to coronary heart disease’’ Upon reviewing this and other evidence, the Danish Food Agency concluded that there were no grounds for new guidelines and advised the public to follow the existing dietary recommendations because ‘‘Currently there is not sufficient evidence to recommend a specific reduction in the intake of trans fatty acids.’’ At this point in time, the DNC clearly had little or no support for its initiative

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Conclusion