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Trans Fatty Acids Fact Sheet

What are trans fatty acids?

Trans fatty acids – also known as trans fats – are formed when liquid vegetable oils are partially hydrogenated or ‘hardened’ for use as spreads such as margarine, cooking fats for deep-frying, and shortening for baking. Low levels of trans fatty acids are also found naturally in meat and milk.

Are trans fatty acids present in foods sold in New Zealand?

Yes, but 2009 dietary modelling work by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has revealed that New Zealanders obtain only 0.6 percent of their daily kilojoules from trans fatty acids, which is a reduction from previous modelling in 2007. This is well below the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation to consume no more than one percent of your daily kilojoules from trans fatty acids. New Zealanders consume relatively low amounts of trans fatty acids compared with people in many other countries.

Which foods contain trans fatty acids?

Trans fatty acids can be found in butter, margarine, crackers, biscuits, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods and other processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

What are the health implications of eating trans fatty acids?

There is compelling evidence that foods high in trans fatty acids increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels. This increases the risk of coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack, and also increases the risk of stroke. Unlike saturated fats, trans fatty acids also lower the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the ‘good’ cholesterol. FSANZ has reviewed the potential health risks associated with levels of trans fatty acids consumed by New Zealanders and Australians and no new evidence has come to light since their Review Report in 2007 to alter their conclusions.

Are trans fatty acids identified on food labels?

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code does not require manufacturers to list the trans fatty acid content of foods in the Nutrition Information Panel unless they make a nutrition claim about cholesterol, saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated or trans fatty acids, or omega-3, omega-6 or omega-9 fatty acids. However, voluntary labelling is permitted and many edible oil spread manufacturers in New Zealand have chosen to voluntarily label their products.  

What can I do to reduce harmful fat in my diet?

You can reduce your fat intake by following healthy eating guidelines to reduce overall consumption of all fat and limit consumption of trans and saturated fat. The following link to the Ministry of Health’s Food and Nutrition Guidelines may be useful: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/0/07BC6DBE764FDABBCC256DDB006D9AB4/$File/foodandnutritionguidelines-adults.pdf

Intakes of saturated fats and trans fatty acids combined are 13-15% of daily kilojoules which is far above the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendation of 8-10%.

Is government taking action to reduce trans fatty acids in food?

The FSANZ 2009 Review Report Trans Fatty Acid in the New Zealand and Australia Food Supply was endorsed by the Australian and New Zealand Regulation Ministerial Council at its October 2009 meeting where it was agreed the current non-regulatory approaches to reducing the levels of trans fatty acids in the food supply should be retained.

What is happening in other countries?

Trans fatty acid consumption is much higher in Canada, Europe and the United States. They have addressed the issue by mandating labelling for trans fatty acids in food and, in some cases, placed limits on the permissions for trans fatty acids in processed foods.

Updated 27 October 2009