Some Supermarkets Will Not Be Using TransFats

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Retailers to stop trans-fat use

 

Some margarines contain trans-fats

Major UK retailers plan to stop adding harmful trans-fats to their

own-brand products by the end of the year.

The move was announced by British Retail Consortium members Asda,

Boots, Co-op, Iceland, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, Tesco and

Waitrose.

 

It is hoped the move could help cut rates of heart disease and

obesity.

 

Cholesterol-raising trans-fats, in the form of hydrogenated oils, are

often added to bakery and dairy products to extend shelf-life and

improve texture.

 

TRANS-FATS

They are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, turning oily foods

into semi-solid foods

Used to extend shelf life of products

Put into pastries, cakes, margarine and some fast foods

Can raise levels of " bad " cholesterol

Even a small reduction in consumption can cut heart disease

They have no nutritional benefit

 

They are also used by the fast-food industry.

 

But they have no nutritional value, and like saturated fats, they

raise blood cholesterol levels which increase the risk of coronary

heart disease.

 

Health authorities around the world have recommended their

consumption be slashed.

 

A BRC spokesman said about 5,000 own-brand products would be affected

by the decision.

 

'Major change'

 

He said it took time to remove the fats, as retailers had to ensure

their products remained appealing to consumers in their re-formulated

form.

 

Several leading retailers have already committed to reducing trans-

fat levels, but the latest announcement represents a marked

acceleration of the process.

 

Andrew Opie, BRC food policy director, said the decision by its

leading members showed that they were prepared to act to achieve

major change must faster than any legislation could do.

 

He said: " This is the latest in a string of healthy food initiatives

and shows that BRC members, responding to customer concerns, are

willingly delivering a scale and pace of change way beyond anything

retailers or manufacturers are doing anywhere else in Europe. "

 

Alex Callaghan, of the British Heart Foundation, said: " It's good to

see companies making moves towards reducing and removing trans-fats

from their own-brand products.

 

" Currently, it isn't easy for shoppers to know how much trans-fats

are in the food they eat, and it can be confusing.

 

" ¿The BHF calls for manufacturers and retailers to work towards

elimination of trans-fats from products.

 

" In the meantime, trans-fats should be clearly labelled food

packaging so that people can make informed decisions about their

diet. "

 

In Denmark, trans-fats in the form of partially hydrogenated oils

were effectively banned four years ago.

 

The European Union is encouraging retailers to reduce or stop adding

trans-fats.

 

However, it is also taking action against the Danish authorities, on

the grounds that their ban is a block on free trade with other member

states.