As of 17 August 2011, the Department of Health legislated that all South African manufacturers and supermarket stores must limit the levels of trans fats in their products to less than 2g per 100g. The South African legislation comes into effect long after other countries around the world.
The Good Life Dietitian’s searched for more information on the restriction and banning of trans fats around the world.
The Good Life Dietitian’s searched for more information on the restriction and banning of trans fats around the world.
Denmark
Denmark was the first of counties to introduce strict laws, and in March 2003, banned trans fats entirely.
Switzerland
Switzerland followed Denmark and banned trans fats in April 2008.
Australia
The Australian government indicated their aim to reduce trans fats from fast food. Margarine in Australia is trans fat free since 1996.
Canada
Canada has already limited trans fats to 2g per 100g of food.
United States
- Given that states in America are self-governed, trans fat legislation differs across the US. On July 1st, the city of New York restricted trans fat contents of foods to less than 0.5g per 100g. California, Maryland, Philadelphia, Chicago and Massachusetts are some of the states with trans fat restrictions.
- On October 30th 2006 KFC accounted that they will replace the partially hydrogenated soybean oil with a zero trans fat linoleic soybean in all US and Canadian stores.
- In 2007, McDonald’s announced their plan to decrease the amount of trans fats in their French fries.
- In May 2007, Burger King announced that they would completely remove trans fats from their meals by the end of 2007.
- The Walt Disney theme parks reported an aim to remove trans fats from their meals.
- The popular American Girl Scout cookies announced in November 2006 that their cookies will contain less than 0.5g of trans fats per 100g.
Brazil
The Brazilian ministry of health set a goal to reduce the total amount of trans fats to 2% (i.e. 2g per 100g) by the end of 2010.
What is the situation in South Africa?
In 2009 the Health Minister announced plans to reduce trans fats levels in all products on South African shelves. As of August 17th 2011, consumers can be assured that foods purchased at supermarkets, restaurants, and catering companies will not contain more than 2g of trans fat per 100f of product. The new legislation prohibits the sale, manufacture and import of fats and oks containing partially hydrogenated fats and oils (trans fats) in processed food.
South African retailers
- On October 30th 2007, Woolworth’s announced that they were to become the first SA retailer to removed trans fats from its foods. “When the trans fat issue emerged in 2003, Woolworths embarked upon a two-pronged approach to address the issue,” explains Cecil Mitchell, Head of Food Technology at Woolworths. “In line with our Good Food Journey, we invested over R1 million in lab equipment to allow us to include the fatty acid profile on our nutritional information labelling so that our customers could make informed choices. We also began replacing HVO’s (hydrogenated vegetable oils) with fats and oils that, in addition to containing no artificial colourants or anti-oxidants, have better fatty acid profiles.”
- “It is very important for us to ensure that we offer our customers foods that not only taste delicious, but food that’s better for their health. For example, we were the first South African food retailer to remove ‘added’ MSG and tartrazine from our foods. The removal of HVOs represents another milestone on our Good Food Journey,” says Woolworths Head of Foods, Julian Novak.
- Pick n Pay’s acting merchandise director said “All products sold at Pick ‘n Pay will comply with the proposed legislation by August 17.”
- Shoprite-Checkers spokesman Sarita van Wyk said, “Products which do not meet the 2% maximum for industrially produced trans-fast will be removed by the deadline.”
- KFC in South Africa eliminated trans fats in August 2009.
- Wimpy’s frying oil does not contain any trans fats.
- McDonald’s South Africa confirmed that all products comply with the less than 2g per 100g legislation.
- In 2010 Cansa analysed trans fat levels of 40 margarine on the South African market, and established that all margarine were below 2g per 100g.
As can be seen from countries around the world, the SA legislation on trans fats is in fact long overdue. Most dietitians will agree though that the eventual ban of trans fats should be the ultimate goal in the fight for a healthier South Africa, and we ask of all South Africans’ to hold the government accountable to monitor and enforced this new legislation in to law.
References
- Bowman C. High noon for bad trans fats. 3 August 2011. Accessed from http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/high-noon-for-bad-trans-fats-1.1111162
- Health24, SA declares war on trans fats. 22 August 2011. Accessed from http://www.health24.com/mobile/article.aspx?contentid=64472
- Majavu A. Trans-fat restrictions loom. 27 June, 2011. Accessed from http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2011/06/27/trans-fat-restrictions-loom
- Woolworths Press Release. October 30th 2007. Woolworths to become first south African retailer to remove hydrogenated vegetable oils from its foods. Accessed from http://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/media/news/news_display.asp?Id2=243
No comments:
Post a Comment