Systematic review of the evidence for relationships between specified fatty acids and blood cholesterol

(December 2022)

FSANZ has prepared a systematic review of the evidence for relationships between saturated, cis monounsaturated, cis polyunsaturated fatty acids and selected individual fatty acids, and blood cholesterol concentration.

This systematic review includes our consideration of three EU-authorised health claims:

  • Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels
  • α-linolenic acid contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels
  • Linoleic acid contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels

FSANZ is also periodically updating the reviews on which the current high level health claims are based. This systematic review also includes our consideration of the existing pre-approved health claims about:

  • saturated fatty acids and blood cholesterol
  • saturated and trans fatty acids and blood cholesterol (saturated fatty acid component only). Read the review about the trans fatty acid component here. 

Outcome

FSANZ completed its systematic review in July 2016. We concluded that all food-health relationships investigated, including those underpinning existing high level health claims, were substantiated to a high degree of certainty. 

At the time, we planned to prepare a proposal to consider including the replacement of saturated fatty acids relationship in the Code and to not further consider the relationships relating to α-Linolenic acid and Linoleic acid, noting claims associated with these could be covered by the replacement of saturated fatty acids relationship.  

Download the systematic review (pdf 1.09 mb) | (word 2.1 mb)

Download supporting document 1 (pdf 1.43 mb) | (word 2.26 mb)

Suporting document 1 copyright notice: This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Auteurswet, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be directed in the first instance to Maastricht University, Department of Legal Affairs, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

FSANZ wishes to thank Professor Mensink for his work on the supporting document.

Consultation 

In late 2021 FSANZ engaged with industry stakeholders to determine the level of interest in using the replacement of saturated fatty acids food-health relationship to make claims and, as such, whether a change to the Code might be required.   

Feedback received from our stakeholders indicated a low level of interest, particularly on how a replacement claim could be applied to an individual food.  

Decision 

Based on the low level of interest in using this food-health relationship, FSANZ has decided not to prepare a proposal for including this food-health relationship in the Code.