Trans fats
Trans fats occur naturally
in some foods such as meat and dairy products. However,
it's industrially produced trans fats or trans fatty acids, which
have been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart
disease.
Industrially produced
trans fats have been found to raise the levels of “bad”
(LDL) cholesterol in our blood,
which is linked to the development of atheroma - a fatty
material that builds up within our artery walls.
These fats have been found in foods
such as manufactured biscuits, cakes and pastries, and fried foods
in restaurants and takeaways. In recent years members of the UK
food industry have voluntarily reduced the levels of trans fats in
their foods.
We are now calling for a series of
measures to eliminate industrial trans fats in the UK,
including:
- target levels of trans fats which
all food manufacturers should work towards, although it is
important that trans fats are not replaced with
saturated fats
- food manufacturers and retailers
should clearly label trans fats on food packaging, so that people
can make informed decisions about their diet
- if voluntary targets are unsuccessful,
the UK Government should take legislative action to remove
industrial trans fats
Trans fats are however only one part of the
picture, and action is also needed to reduce saturated fat
consumption to within safe limits.
If you would like any further information, please read our
policy
statement or email us at policy@bhf.org.uk