Ottawa backtracks on trans fats
WORTH REPEATING
Last November, Parliament voted to restrict the amount of trans fatty acids found in hydrogen- treated oils to 2 per cent of all oil and fat content in foods. The measure was overdue — scientists have long recognized that there is no safe level of trans fats. Just one gram daily, the amount in one frozen waffle, can increase the risk of heart disease by 20 per cent.
At the time, federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said Health Canada would “ work through a multi- stakeholder task force to develop recommendations and strategies for reducing trans fats in Canadian foods to the lowest levels possible.” The bill included a timetable guaranteeing legislative action on artificial trans fatty acids within a year. Those who lobbied for the bill applauded, with their focus set on a progressive trans fat ban, such as the one introduced in Denmark two years ago. Imagine the disappointment, then, when an interim report from that legislative committee released last week indicated the government is leaning toward labelling and voluntary reductions by the food industry instead. These regulations require that calories and the content of 13 core nutrients, including trans fat, be listed on the labels of most prepackaged foods by Dec. 12, 2005, and Dec. 12, 2007, for small manufacturers.
To be sure, this is a step forward . . . but a small step. Putting information in the hands of consumers is never a bad thing, but it doesn’t always lead to the type of result required here. Indeed, the food industry uses trans fats because they extend the shelf life of food, thus reducing the price to consumers. Many consumers will continue to shop on that basis, regardless of warnings. What we know about trans fats calls for far more restrictive legislation. Canadian consumption of trans fats is among the highest in the world and, not surprisingly, Canada is also a world leader in rates of heart disease. Health Canada statistics indicate that people in the 15- 25 age group consume an average 38 grams a day. Denmark is already beginning to see the result of its hard work in eliminating unhelpful oils. Danes’ daily intake of industrial trans fats has fallen from six grams in 1976 to one to two grams today. Deaths from heart disease in that country have dropped 50 per cent. When Denmark put a 2 per cent limit on trans fats last year, its health minister said, “We will always put the health of our citizens before the concerns of industry.” What a delightfully simple and progressive outlook. Too bad our government doesn’t have the same priorities. This is an edited version of an editorial that appeared in the Sudbury Star.