Abstract
After the discovery that trans fat increases the risk of coronary heart disease, trans fat content of foods have considerably changed. The aim of this study was to systematically review available data on intakes of trans fat and its dietary sources in general populations worldwide. Data from national dietary surveys and population studies published from 1995 onward were searched via Scopus and websites of national public health institutes. Relevant data from 29 countries were identified. The most up to date estimates of total trans fat intake ranged from 0.3 to 4.2 percent of total energy intake (En%) across countries. Seven countries had trans fat intakes higher than the World Health Organization recommendation of 1 En%. In 16 out of 21 countries with data on dietary sources, intakes of trans fat from animal sources were higher than that from industrial sources. Time trend data from 20 countries showed substantial declines in industrial trans fat intake since 1995. In conclusion, nowadays, in the majority of countries for which data are available, average trans fat intake is lower than the recommended maximum intake of 1 En%, with intakes from animal sources being higher than from industrial sources. In the past 20 years, substantial reductions in industrial trans fat have been achieved in many countries.
Highlights
Trans fats are found in foods originating from ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep, and are found in foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO)
Animal trans fat levels can comprise up to 6% of a product’s fat content in ruminant foods, and industrial trans fat levels can comprise up to 60% of a product's fat content in foods containing PHVO
The discovery of adverse effects on the blood cholesterol profile and the increased risk of coronary heart disease of industrial trans fat [1,2,3,4,5] have led to public health recommendations to lower total trans fat intake to below 1% of total energy intake (En%), primarily by the removal of industrial trans fat [6]
Summary
Trans fats are found in foods originating from ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep, and are found in foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO). Animal trans fat levels can comprise up to 6% of a product’s fat content in ruminant foods, and industrial trans fat levels can comprise up to 60% of a product's fat content in foods containing PHVO. Subsequent voluntary initiatives, trans fat labelling measures and regulatory limits have led to reductions in industrial trans fat, not in all foods and countries [7,8]. Earlier studies showed that over the past two decades, both the voluntary and regulatory measures to lower industrial trans fat content of foods have resulted in significant reductions in global trans fat intakes [9,10,11,12]. This study showed that in the majority of the countries, trans fat primarily came from animal sources [13]. In 2010, estimated intakes varied from 0.2 to 6.5 En%
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