Canada will legislate a ban trans fats

[Guest guest]

> MPs declare war on trans fats

>

> Joe Paraskevas

> For CanWest News Service, with files from Canadian Press

>

http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/news/story.html?id=4bb7c418-7094-4c\

41-83ed-141c097800dd

>

> Wednesday, November 24, 2004

>

> OTTAWA -- Members of Parliament voted Tuesday to set Canada on a path to

> banning artificial trans fats despite charges such action would be

> heavy-handed, taking on such favourite foods as store-bought doughnuts

> and even home-baked goods.

>

> Most MPs, including Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, rejected such

> suggestions and voted 193-73 to give the government one year to

> introduce either new rules or new legislation that " effectively

> eliminates " trans fatty acids, the cholesterol-raising fats that have

> been linked to heart disease.

>

> " We're calling it an absolute victory, " said Pat Martin, the Manitoba

> NDP MP who sponsored the motion. " We will be here to make sure we see

> this through. "

>

> Some trans fatty acids occur naturally in beef and dairy products, but

> are also produced artificially in hydrogenated oils and are known to

> raise blood levels of bad cholesterol.

>

> Trans fats came into wide use amid worries about links between saturated

> fats and heart disease. But using hydrogenated oil instead of saturated

> fats proved to be a case of replacing one so-called bad fat with another.

>

> Dosanjh said he would honour the motion that could make Canada the

> second country in the world -- after Denmark -- to ban trans fats.

>

> " This was a motion that I think will have the support of the House, "

> Dosanjh said, before the vote. " That's a motion that has my support. "

>

> The government last week announced it was setting up a task force to

> recommend ways Ottawa can reduce trans fats " to the lowest levels

> possible. " The trans fat task force will include representatives from

> the food industry, academia and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

>

> A trans fat ban could be one option, said a spokesman for Dosanjh.

>

> MPs opposed to a trans fats ban argued Tuesday such a move represented

> excessive government interference in Canadians' lives.

>

> " Today, the NDP are asking us to vote to protect Canadians, especially

> children, " British Columbia Conservative MP Stockwell Day said in the

> House.

>

> " What evil would they ban? Why, it is none other than the malicious

> trans fats which presently lurk on Tim Hortons shelves, in cracker boxes

> in grocery stores and in grandma's baking. "

>

> Day criticized NDP members for their own fondness for trans fats.

>

> " I watch them at coffee breaks, inhaling cookies and doughnuts faster

> than anyone, " Day said.

>

> Restaurant industry representatives, among others, have warned a sudden

> trans fat ban could force them to re-introduce substances, such as

> animal fats and palm oils, considered harmful even before the

> introduction of trans fats, just to maintain their products.

>

> Officials from Health Canada have said a ban could cause disruptions

> among food suppliers because without trans fats the shelf life of

> products that contain them would be reduced.

>

> But reaction to Tuesday's vote from the food industry was reserved and

> even supportive.

>

> A spokeswoman for the 17,500-member Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices

> Association said many industry efforts to reduce or eliminate trans fats

> are underway.

>

> " CRFA fully supports the intent of the motion which is to find ways to

> reduce trans fat in Canadian food to the lowest level possible, " said

> Jill Holroyd, a CRFA vice-president.

>

> " The only question for our industry really is when and how they can be

> removed in a responsible manner so that we are truly offering a healthy

> alternative to consumers. "

>

> Fast food outlet New York Fries has already eliminated trans fats,

> Holroyd said.

>

> Pizza company Pizza Pizza has removed trans fats in its pizza crusts,

> she added, and Harvey's is reducing trans fats by using sunflower oil.

>

> Tim Hortons and sandwich giant Subway have for years offered items on

> their menu that are seen as being healthier for consumers.

>

> A statement from hamburger giant McDonald's Canada said the company also

> has reduced trans fat levels in its cooking oil and it would work with

> government and industry to further cut out trans fats.

>

> " We want to continue to be part of the consultation, " said the statement.

>

> McDonald's admitted earlier this fall that it was having a more

> difficult time than expected in eliminating trans fats from its menu as

> it had said it would do.

>

> Legislation already exists that would force producers of foods

> containing trans fats to label their products accordingly.

>

> Labelling requirements would come into effect in 2006.

> © Times Colonist (Victoria) 2004

>