Evidence from epidemiological as well as controlled human intervention studies indicates that consumption of diets containing elevated levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) increases the risk of coronary heart disease. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that TFA intakes should be as low as is possible within the context of a nutritionally adequate diet [1]. A further conclusion drawn by EFSA was that the available evidence is insufficient to establish whether there is a difference between ruminant and industrial trans fatty acids consumed in equivalent amounts on the risk of coronary heart disease. In the Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council regarding trans fats in foods and in the overall diet of the Union population [2] several options are explored to limit the amount of TFA in the EU food supply. Introducing a legal limit was seen as the most appropriate policy measure to achieve an effective reduction of industrial TFA (iTFA). They are formed in high amounts by partial hydrogenation and to a much lesser degree by physical raffination of edible oils. Regulating ruminant TFA (rTFA) is not feasible as TFA are formed naturally in relatively stable proportions in ruminant fats, and cannot be avoided in ruminant products, which contribute essential nutrients in the EU diet. Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/649 [3] introduces a limit of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat for the content of trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin, in food intended for the final consumer and food intended for supply to retail. Consequently, reliable analytical tools are needed to control and enforce legislation.

ULBERTH Franz;  WENZL Thomas; 

2021-11-19

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC125335

978-92-76-40304-3 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 30767 EN,    OP KJ-NA-30767-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC125335,   

10.2760/102265 (online),