Originally published January 16 2006
Trans fat becomes policy issue for nutrition experts seeking to protect public health
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation posts a transcript of a conversation between nutrition experts, including Michael Jacobsen from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, who debate the future of trans fat as determined at the level of national law and food standards.
It's called partially hydrogenated oil, also known as trans fat.
It's used in fast and snack foods and if we believe health authorities around the world, it's a potential killer.
Next year its likely Denmark and Canada will all but ban the use of trans fat, and in the United States labelling will be mandatory.
Don't be surprised though if you've never heard of trans fat because in this country, food makers and restaurants don't have to tell you if you're eating it.
MARK BANNERMAN: They glisten, they entice and they taste good too.
MICHAEL JACOBSON, US CENTRE FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: Trans fat, on a gram for gram basis, is the worst fat in our food supply.
DR ROSEMARY STANTON, NUTRITIONIST: Well, I think we should be worried about it because we don't know exactly how much of it is in the food supply, but we've got pretty strong suspicions that it's increasing.
Created by combining a healthy vegetable oil with hydrogen under pressure, it may not look harmful, but according to the US Food and Drug Administration, eating more than two grams a day could, over time, seriously effect your health.
And the esteemed British retailer Marks & Spencer says it won't sell products containing it.
So what do health authorities in Australia think about this potential kill?
The data that we have around the levels of consumption of trans fats is now a little bit out of date and so FSANZ has been - over the last little while - been conducting a survey of the level of trans fats in a wide variety of foods.
DR MARION HEALEY: Labelling is only a useful tool for people to make choices when they're purchasing food, whether it's in the supermarket or at a restaurant or whatever.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml