Abstract
Legislation has, within a few years, virtually eliminated the intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP-TFA) in Denmark, by banning any food with an IP-TFA content greater than 2% of total fat. This accomplishment has been obtained without noticeable effects on the availability, price or quality of foods previously containing high amounts of IP-TFA. Various public health organizations, including the World Health Organization, have recommended reducing the consumption of IP-TFA, and efforts have been made in several countries to comply, through the mandatory TFA labelling of prepackaged food, societal pressure and industrial initiatives to lower the content of IP-TFA in foods. Yet still, high concentrations of IP-TFA are found in popular foods in several countries including Norway and Sweden. This indicates that millions of people currently have intakes of IP-TFA that increase their risk of coronary heart disease. The Danish experience demonstrates that this risk can be eliminated.
We thank Jenny Vissing's Foundation, University of Copenhagen, and colleagues, family and friends who bought the fast food meals all over the world.
Notes
*AA was chairman of DNC 1992–2003, SS was chairman of the trans fat group 1993–2005, and JD member of DNC, and SS and JD were authors of the councils trans fat reports.