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2004/11/18, 09:12 AM
Caught this on the news last night... not sure if it'll happen, but brings the issue to light none the less...
CTV.ca News Staff
Updated: Thu. Nov. 18 2004 9:01 AM ET
NDP Leader Jack Layton has introduced a motion that would make Canada the world's second country to ban processed trans fats.
Layton introduced the motion in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, with a warning that the trans fats found in everything from peanut butter to french fries contribute to heart disease.
"They've estimated that there are 1,000 additional deaths in Canada each year due to this dangerous compound that is finding it's way into our arteries," Layton said Wednesday as he introduced the motion that would see Canada join Denmark as the only countries to severely restrict trans fats in food.
If passed into law, Layton's motion would see Ottawa immediately cap permissible levels of trans fats at five grams per 100 grams of oil in a variety of foodstuffs including processed, restaurant and fast foods.
Then, in two years, the limit would be lowered to just two grams per 100.
For University of Guelph professor Bruce Holub, that would go a long way to improving Canadians' dietary intake of the artery-clogging fats.
"We are eating 8.5 grams of trans per person per day," Holub told CTV News. "(That's) way too much. Other countries around the world like Japan and Finland are eating around one to two grams a day."
Hydrogenated, or trans fats form mainly when liquid oil is subjected to hydrogen and changed from a liquid into a solid fat -- for example when a vegetable oil is made into margarine or shortening.
Since a 1997 new England Journal of Medicine study that found eating one gram of trans fats a day for a decade increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20 per cent, there have been a stream of studies warning of the dangers of over consumption.
Recent research out of Harvard Medical School, for example, has shown high trans fat intake represents a significant risk for developing premature diabetes.
With the looming dangers of trans fats in the public spotlight, a handful of food makers have already jumped on the so-called "Zero Trans" trend.
According to a spokesperson with the Food and Consumers Products Manufacturers of Canada, the introduction of trans fat-free snacks and takeout foods are proof the industry is heeding consumer concerns.
"We all have the same goal in mind. We want to replace the trans fats in foods, but we need to ensure that there is an adequate supply of alternatives."
To that end, the industry is working with the oil seed industry, Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation on healthy, commercially viable alternatives.
The reason manufacturers aren't keen to drop trans altogether is the fat's remarkable ability to remain stable at room temperature -- giving long shelf lives to cookies, cakes, chips and a whole list of processed foods.
And that, Layton says, means there's little hope market forces will eliminate trans fats the way legislation would.
"Our point is that it shouldn't be voluntary -- it should be legislated," Layton said. "Denmark did it and Canada should follow suit."
In the meantime, consumers concerned by research linking trans fats to health problems have to pore over ingredient lists hunting for the terms partially hydrogenated oils, or vegetable oil shortening.
Ottawa has proposed a labelling scheme that will come into effect by the end of next year that will list trans fat levels in foods.
Holub says that improving labels remains a stop-gap measure, that will likely leave confused consumers scratching their heads.
"My concern with labeling is that, the labeling for trans fats will be in gram units, while cholesterol will be in milligram units."
If Layton can rally the Liberal support which seems to be behind the ban, his bill could be law and trans fats could be edging off ingredients in a year.
With a report from CTV's Avis Favaro
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I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self. - Aristotle
You have the power to change a life right in your own hands. - Paul Brandt
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2004/11/18, 11:55 AM
If we ban trans fats, I will be the happiest person on earth.
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- Its never about how much you can lift, or how many reps you do. Its just about doing it, and doing it right.
- If your hungry all the time, your not eating enough. And anyways, being hungry sucks.
~Brad~
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