asked Her Majesty's Government:
How the medical advice about the health implications of trans fats has been updated since the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy published its research in 1994.[HL7761]
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN, which replaced the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy—COMA—in 2001) concluded in 2003 that COMA’s advice on trans-fatty acids (TFAs) was still current and that a further risk assessment of TFAs in its 2004-05 work programme was not warranted. TFAs were not therefore singled out for specific action.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a risk assessment on TFAs in 2004 and concluded that they raise blood cholesterol levels, thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. These findings were in keeping with COMA’s 1994 conclusions. EFSA further noted that evidence from human intervention trials, strengthened by findings from epidemiological studies, supports the idea that the effect of TFAs on heart health may be greater than that of saturated fats. However, in line with SACN opinion, EFSA states that given current intake levels of TFAs, their potential to significantly increase cardiovascular risk is much lower than saturated fatty acids which are currently consumed in excess of dietary recommendations in many European countries.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made an assessment of the Government of Denmark's executive order no. 160 of 11 March 2003 on the content of trans-fatty acids in oils and fats.[HL7762]
No assessment has been made of the Danish executive order on the content of trans-fatty acids in oils and fats, and there are currently no plans to make such an assessment.
We welcome the voluntary steps some manufacturers and retailers have taken to eliminate or reduce the use of hydrogenated vegetable oils (which contain trans-fatty acids) in their products on sale in the United Kingdom, provided that such reformulation should not result in increased saturated fat levels.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the economic cost of a national ban on the use of trans-fatty acids in foods.[HL7763]
No assessment of the economic cost of a national ban on the use of trans-fatty acids in foods has been undertaken or is currently planned. Information on the costs involved in reformulatory procedures to remove trans-fatty acids would only be available from retailers and manufacturers of foods sold in the United Kingdom.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many British citizens consume more that the maximum intake of trans-fatty acids recommended by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy in 1994; and what proportion of this number is made up of children.[HL7764]
The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) of adults aged 19 to 64, carried out in 2000-01, showed that about 96 per cent of adults consumed less than the recommended population average intake of trans-fatty acids. The NDNS of young people aged 4 to 18, carried out in 1997, showed that 96 per cent of young people consumed less than the recommended population average intake of trans-fatty acids.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will commission further research into the relative consumption of trans-fatty acids by (a) different age groups; and (b) different socio-economic groups.[HL7765]
Trans-fatty acid intakes are monitored through the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) programme. A rolling programme is being set up for future NDNS in order to strengthen the ability to track changes over time. This programme will continue to provide data on trans-fatty acid intakes by different age groups and socio-economic groups. First results from the rolling programme are expected to become available in 2009.
Trans-fatty acid intakes are also being assessed as part of a survey of diet and nutrition of low-income/materially deprived consumers in the United Kingdom. The report of this survey is expected in 2007.