Originally published December 6 2005
British food company sets precedent with vow to remove all man-made fats from its products
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Marks & Spencer has promised to remove man-made fats from its food by April 2006, and the company has already made significant strides by removing hydrogenated vegetable oils from many of its products.
MARKS & SPENCER is to become the first big retailer to ban man-made fats from its foods, pledging to remove them by April, write Jonathan Leake and John Elliott.
The move follows concern about the substances --- known as hydrogenated vegetable fats --- which have been linked with heart disease, narrowing of blood vessels and diabetes.
Hydrogenated fats are believed to pose a significantly higher health risk than naturally occurring fats.
In Britain, the fats are widely used in biscuits, cakes, pastry, margarine and ready meals.
The fast-food industry also makes wide use of hydrogenated oils for frying.
There is no obligation to declare the fats on labels.
In America, many food companies have announced they are to stop using such fats.
The US government has ordered companies to detail such fats on food packaging.
The Food Standards Agency in Britain is considering a similar move, informing food manufacturers and retailers that they may soon be required to label all foods containing the fats.
This turns the oil from a liquid to a dense waxy tasteless solid that improves texture, binds food particles together and prolongs food's shelf life.
The main problem lies with a sub-set of fats formed during hydrogenation known as trans fats.
Studies link these fats with raised cholesterol and narrowing of blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
They also make the body resistant to insulin, raising the risk of diabetes.
Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University, London, welcomed Marks & Spencer's decision.
Hydrogenated vegetable fats are uniquely bad for consumers in every way."
Tesco and Waitrose have also promised to cut the use of such fats in own-brand food.
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