Canada & TFA

Canada and Trans Fats - TFA and related issues have been the focal point of discussions amongst members of the food industry. The implications are far reaching and will impact ingredients, manufacturing processes, supply chain, shelf life, costs and finally our health.

NDP urges ban on trans fats, will introduce motion in Commons...Canadian Press ...November 12, 2004

OTTAWA (CP) - NDP Leader Jack Layton wants Canada to become the second country in the world to ban processed trans fats.

He says his New Democrats will introduce a motion in the House of Commons on Nov. 18 to outlaw the unhealthy fats found in everything from fast food to peanut butter. Canadians eat an average of 10 grams of trans fats a day - one of the highest rates in the world.

A gram of trans fat is up to 10 times more dangerous to heart health than a gram of saturated fat.

The World Health Organization recommends countries eliminate processed trans fats, as Denmark did last year.

"Families want protection from dangerous trans fats and the NDP is calling on all parties to provide it," Layton told a news conference Friday.

"Let's show Ottawa can listen to people and respond to their concerns - and improve public health in the process."

Layton said that because trans fats are most prevalent in highly processed foods, low-income and older Canadians are particularly at risk.

The NDP motion would require the government to base its legislation on the findings of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Winnipeg MP Pat Martin has been spearheading the parliamentary fight against trans fats. Before the last election, he introduced a private member's bill modelled on the Danish law, which would effectively ban all processed trans fats.

Some transfats naturally occur in trace amounts in some dairy products and meat.