(NaturalNews) The Australian government has established the National Collaboration on Trans Fats in order to reduce the presence of the harmful food ingredient, and one American health author is applauding Australia for protecting its citizens from the ingredient.
Trans fats are found in foods that contain hydrogenated oils, usually added to make fried food crisper, and has been linked to several health concerns including increased LDL (bad) cholesterol and an increase in heart disease risk. Denmark banned food with more than 2 percent trans fats two years ago, but thus far has been the only country to impose such a severe restriction.
The new Australian body will be made up of the National Heart Foundation of Australia, the Dietitians Association of Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and promotes mandatory labeling of foods with trans fats. Currently, foods are only required to have trans fat content listed on the label if it claims to be "low in saturated fat" or have "no cholesterol."
According to Christopher Pyne, parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Health and Aging, immediate governmental regulation of trans fats is not required, but he noted consumers were becoming increasingly educated about the need to avoid trans fats.
"The National Collaboration on Trans Fats provides an opportunity to promote current industry and public health initiatives in this area more widely," Pyne said. "It will also raise consumer awareness of trans fats.
"I urge consumers, for the sake of their health, to limit their consumption of trans and saturated fats," he added.
According to representatives from the Labor political party, the plan does not go far enough to protect consumers from trans fat.
"Labeling the trans fat content of packaged foods on supermarket shelves completely ignores the biggest problem: the use of trans fats in cooking fast food," said Labor Member of Parliament Dr. Craig Emerson. "Disadvantaged communities consume large quantities of fried fast food," he said. "No amount of labeling on supermarket shelves will protect them."
Emerson, whose proposed motion on the control of trans fats in parliament two weeks ago was ultimately defeated, said Australia should follow Denmark's example of severe regulation of trans fats, and that inexpensive substitutes for the ingredient were already available.
"If fast food outlets were required to use unsaturated fats that don't contain trans fats there would be virtually no increase in cost but a big public health benefit, especially in disadvantaged communities," he said.
Mike Adams, consumer health advocate and author of "Poison in the Food: Hydrogenated Oils," agreed.
"While Australia would be much better off following Denmark's example rather than just changing labeling laws, at least the government is making an effort to address the trans fat issue," he said. "The U.S. government has little time for the subject of poisons in the food supply, mostly because they see cheap food ingredients as good for the economy, regardless of their effect on public health."
Adams added that consumers who wish to strike a blow for the removal of trans fats from the food supply should visit www.TransFatFreeNYC.org to support the proposal to remove trans fats from New York City restaurants.
###
Related Articles
• Study: Hidden Trans Fats Boost Women's Infertility Risk by 70 Percent
• Los Angeles County considering banning trans fats in restaurants
• American Heart Association opposes New York trans fats ban
• New York becomes first U.S. city to ban trans fats
• Maryland legislator seeks to ban trans fat
 |
Popular Topics:
trans fats, trans fat, Australia, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury |
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
Email this article to a friend
Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/020869.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Processed Meat for Christmas

The many cides of modern food production

Halloween Sugar

|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|