June 22, 2007 – The agri-food industry has just been granted a two-year reprieve before potentially seeing regulations imposed to minimize the use of trans fats in the manufacture of food products.
In June 2006, a bill was introduced in the Canadian Parliament following the recommendations of the Task Force on Trans Fat. It was predicted that within two years of the passage of this bill, the trans fat content of vegetable oils and soft margarines should be limited to 2%, and 5% for other foods – including those sold in restaurants.
The bill was expected to be passed in June 2008. The Canadian Minister of Health, Tony Clement, however decided to grant a two-year reprieve to the food industry “to reduce trans fats as much as possible”, he said in a press release1.
In two years, Ottawa will reassess the situation. “If we do not see significant progress towards reaching these limits at the end of this period, then we should impose this reduction by regulation,” said Minister Clement.
According to him, the goodwill shown so far by the industry justifies the delay granted. Since Canada obliges labeling of trans fat content, “a significant number of products have been modified” in accordance with the objectives of reducing these fats, he emphasizes.
This decision aroused the ire of some opposition politicians and was denounced by the Canadian division of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.2. According to spokesperson Bill Jeffrey, who served on the Trans Fat Task Force, it is estimated that “trans fat is responsible for 2,000 heart attacks across the country every year.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation (CMF) welcomed the Minister’s decision “to accept the recommendations of the Trans Fat Task Force.” According to its president, Sally Brown, however, the FMC remains concerned about the trans fat content of certain products sold in fast food restaurants or in bakeries. “Progress in these areas has been rather modest,” says Sally Brown. She regrets that mandatory labeling for these products is not in force.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
According to The Globe & Mail.
1. To access the press release issued on June 20, 2007: www.hc-sc.gc.ca [consulté le 21 juin].
2. To find out more about this organization: www.cspinet.org [consulté le 21 juin 2007].
