Hansard

Food: Trans Fats

Volume 686: debated on Tuesday 7 November 2006

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Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their evaluation of the health risks associated with the consumption of trans fats.[HL8069]

The Minister of State, Department of Health
(Lord Warner)

Evidence for the health effects of trans fatty acids (TFAs) was reviewed by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA) in 1994. COMA concluded that TFAs may increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), as they have been shown to raise blood cholesterol levels. These conclusions were supported by the findings of the European Food Safety Authority's risk assessment of TFAs in 2004.

The heart health risks associated with saturated fats outweigh those of trans fats when the relative average population intakes are taken into account.