Consumer protection through a legislative ban on industrially produced trans fatty acids in foods in Denmark

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Legislation has, within a few years, virtually eliminated the intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP-TFA) in Denmark, by banning any food with an IP-TFA content greater than 2% of total fat. This accomplishment has been obtained without noticeable effects on the availability, price or quality of foods previously containing high amounts of IP-TFA. Various public health organizations, including the World Health Organization, have recommended reducing the consumption of IP-TFA, and efforts have been made in several countries to comply, through the mandatory TFA labelling of prepackaged food, societal pressure and industrial initiatives to lower the content of IP-TFA in foods. Yet still, high concentrations of IP-TFA are found in popular foods in several countries including Norway and Sweden. This indicates that millions of people currently have intakes of IP-TFA that increase their risk of coronary heart disease. The Danish experience demonstrates that this risk can be eliminated
Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Food and Nutrition
Volume50
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)155-160
Number of pages6
ISSN1748-2984
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

ID: 8043779