Ban Added Trans Fatty Acids, Australian Medical Association

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Main Category: Nutrition / Diet News

Article 26 Nov 2006 - 0:00am (PST)

 

Food manufacturers should be banned from adding trans fatty acids to

any food consumed in Australia, AMA (Australian Medical Association)

President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, said today.

 

" The AMA believes the addition of trans fatty acids to food should be

phased out completely, " Dr Haikerwal said.

 

" In the meantime, any food products that have had trans fatty acids

added to them should be properly labelled to highlight the fact.

 

" Mandatory labelling should be introduced immediately. "

 

Trans fatty acids can be found in fast food and packaged snacks such

as chips, chicken nuggets and pizza, as well as bakery products

including pies, doughnuts, biscuits and cakes.

 

" Trans fats appear to increase the risk of coronary heart disease

more than any other macronutrient, " Dr Haikerwal said.

 

" They may increase the risk of sudden death from a heart attack, and

are associated with diabetes. "

 

Removing trans fats is unlikely to affect the way a product tastes,

Dr Haikerwal said.

 

" The experience in countries which have already phased in bans is

that there has been little impact on the taste or cost of affected

products, " he said.

 

" Experiences elsewhere demonstrate that such a ban can and should be

implemented as soon as possible. "

 

Currently, trans fats are rarely identified on food labels.

 

" You'll rarely see trans fatty acid on an ingredient label, " Dr

Haikerwal said.

 

" It's often called hydrolysed or hydrogenated vegetable fat, but it

can have other names.

 

" Consumers deserve to know what they're eating - any trans fatty

acids that have been used as an ingredient should be clearly listed

on the label. "

 

Australian Medical Association (AMA)