Trans Fatty Acids

12 April 2005

There are two main groups of fatty acids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Trans fatty acids (TFA) are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that can impact on health   by adversely affecting cholesterol levels.

Where do trans fatty acids come from?

Low levels of trans fatty acids occur naturally in the fat of dairy products and meat. They are formed within the gut of ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep. Trans fatty acids are also formed during industrial processing or superheating of vegetable oils and fats – for example, in the chemical process of making semi-solid fats from liquid polyunsaturated fatty acids (partial hydrogenation) for use as edible oil spreads, margarine or as shortening for baking.

What is happening in other countries?

Concerns exist about the potential health effects of TFA particularly those that are derived from partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. As a consequence, many countries including the United States (US), Canada and some European countries, have either placed limits on the permissions for TFA in processed foods or more commonly, mandated labelling requirements for TFA in foods.

Does the Food Standards Code require trans fatty acids to be listed in the nutrition information panel on food labels?

The mandatory labelling of TFA was considered during the review of the Code. The decision not to mandate the labelling of TFA content of foods was made based on the relatively low levels of TFA consumption and most importantly that a similarly sized reduction in saturated fatty acid intake was more likely to have a larger impact on health outcome compared with reductions in TFA intake

At present, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code does not require manufacturers to label the trans fatty acid content of foods unless they make a nutrition claim about cholesterol, saturated, unsaturated or trans fatty acids. However, voluntary labelling is permitted and many edible oil spread manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand have chosen to voluntarily label their products.  

For further dietary advice

The Australian dietary guidelines and Food for Health information can be found at www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/nhome.htm

The Heart Foundation provides information on trans fatty acids at the following link http://www.heartfoundation.com.au/index.cfm?page=717

The Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) ( www.smarteating.com.au ) and Nutrition Australia ( www.nutritionaustralia.org ) can also provide additional advice on healthy eating. For individual dietary advice, find an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) at (www.daa.asn.au ).

Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Adults, prepared by the New Zealand Ministry of Health can be found at www.moh.govt.nz