Trans fat: a health warning

Are the so called healthy oils in spreads all they are claimed to be? International research suggests all we are spreading is the potential risk of heart disease.

Trans fat is made by taking a healthy liquid oil, like canola, and transforming it bio-chemically with hydrogen to create a solid and spreadable oil.

Denmark has banned all food products in which trans fat makes up more than two per cent of the total fat.

A recent study by Choice magazine showed that spreads such as No Frills Canola Light Margarine, Black and Gold Monounsaturated and Coles Farmland table spread contained between four and 8 per cent trans fat.

These products would be banned from sale in Denmark in fact nearly half of all Aussie spreads on the shelves would fail the test.

[Avoiding trans fat]

The Heart Foundation acknowledges trans fat is as harmful to heart health as saturated fats.

Barbara Eden, executive nutrition officer for the Heart Foundation, said trans fat is a problem.

"As far as cardiovascular risk is concerned it's about the type of fat that people consume, that is saturated fat and trans fat," Ms Eden said.

"Limiting those in your dietary intake is the way to go," she added.

[Top five trans fat food groups]

Why does the Heart Foundation give products containing trans fat a Tick of approval?

"While the food companies have acted positively to the pressure the Heart Foundation has put on them around trans fat the changes are costly, as is the equipment, so this will take time," Ms Eden said.

The idea is to assure consumers that Tick products are the healthy option within that category. That means they are lower in saturated fat and trans fat, lower in sodium and higher in fibre.

What are the spreads which contain the least amount of trans fat?

In I can't believe it's not butter, Weight Watchers Canola Spread, Bertoli Light and Flora Pro-Active light, trans fat was either non existent or in very minimal levels.

Trans fat is also found in cooking oils, pies, pastries and cookies.

By the end of 2005 spreads that have Ticks on them will contain 1 per cent or less of their total fat as trans fat.

[Click here for tips on how to figure out if a product contains trans fat.]

Choice: www.choice.com.au

Heart Foundation: www.heartfoundation.com.au