An analysis of more than 80,000 packaged supermarket products finds most disclose information about trans-fats. Trans-fats have been shown to raise the risk of heart disease - even in small amounts - when regularly consumed. The study authors say Government action is needed, as regulators weigh up whether to limit or ban them.
Kiwi consumers are being left in the dark about potentially harmful ingredients in packaged supermarket foods, with a University of Auckland analysis showing most products sold here don’t disclose whether trans-fats are in them. The new research comes as New Zealand and Australia are looking at what to do about artificial trans-fats commonly found in our foods - including banning them altogether . Like saturated fats, trans fatty acids (TFAs) raise levels of “bad” cholesterol and lower levels of “good” cholesterol which helps protect against heart disease.
Amounts of TFAs form naturally in foods from ruminants’ sources such as some meats and milk products, but the majority are industrially manufactured (iTFAs) from vegetable oils for use in spreads like margarine, in cooking fats for deep-frying, or added as ingredients in many packaged foods..