Trans fatty acid labeling: Finally!

INFACT Canada is pleased that the presence of trans fatty acids will now be included in the labeling of food products in Canada. Canada has lagged behind the Europeans where such labeling has been in place for years.

Indicating the presence of trans fatty acids is a critical step forward. However, the approach to labeling remains flawed. Instead of requiring manufacturers to indicate the amounts of trans fatty acids in milligrams � as is done with other fats such as saturated fats and cholesterol � trans fatty acids will be recorded in grams. This gives the misleading impression that the trans fatty acids are present in smaller and insignificant amounts. Why this discrepancy in measurement units? Is the infant foods industry again being protected over public health?

Trans fatty acids are produced when polyunsaturated oils are converted by commercial processing into hydrogenated fats. Such fats have a chemical trans configuration whereas in nature the cis configuration is present. Trans fatty acids have been implicated in a number of health risks and avoiding them is of considerable importance in maternal and infant nutrition.

Trans fatty acids replace essential long chain fatty acids such as DHA and AA. The latter are critical nutrients in the pre and post natal retinal, neurological and brain development of infants. Many references affirming the cognitive benefits of breastfeeding cite the presence of DHA and AA in breastmilk as a key contributing factor.*

  Canadian mothers have high levels of trans fatty acids in their breastmilk.**

Adipose concentrations of trans fatty acids showed a positive correlation with breast cancer. The relationship appears to be heavily influenced by polyunsaturated fat stores. Risk for breast cancer was estimated to be 3.6 fold greater for those with low levels of polyunsaturated fats.***

The new labeling provision is a start in addressing the health risks of trans fatty acids in Canadian diets. The next step is to reduce the permissible levels.

References

*  Koletzko, B. Trans fatty acids may impair biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturates and growth in man. Acta Pediatr 81: 302-306, 1992

Horwood, L. J. Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at 7-8 years. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 84: F23-F27, 2001

Lucas, A. et al. Breastmilk and subsequent intelligent quotient in childrenborn premature. Lancet 339: 261-264, 1992

**  Chen Z. Y. et al. Trans fatty isomers in Canadian human milk. Lipids 30: 15-21, 1995

Ratnayake, W. M. N. et al. Fatty acids in Canadian margarines. Can Inst Sci Technol J. 24: 81-86, 1991

Ratnayake. W. M. N. et al. Fatty acids in some common food items in Canada. J Am Coll Nutr 12: 651-660, 1993

*** Kohlmeier L. et al. Adipose tissue trans-fatty acids and breast cancer in the European Community Multicentre Study on antioxidants, myocardial infarction, and breast cancer. Cancer Epid Bio Prev 6: 705-710, 1997

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