FINAL NAIL IN COFFIN FOR ARTIFICIAL TRANS FATS

Health Canada is taking the final steps toward a ban on the main source of artificial trans fats in diets. The department says it is banning partially hydrogenated oils or PHOs, which are the main source of industrially produced trans fats in all food sold in the country, including in restaurants. The oils are used in the production of pastries, other baked goods and some packaged goods as a means of extending shelf life. The ban will come into force on Sept. 15, 2018, in order to give the food industry time to find alternatives. After that, it will be illegal to sell any food containing PHOs. Health Canada says trans fats raise levels of so-called “bad” or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood, while reducing levels of “good” or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.