Abolition of trans fat in Canada
Guillaume Trottier
Abolition of trans fat in Canada
There it's done ! The main artificial trans fats are now banned in Canada. The ban applies to partially hydrogenated oils (HPH). HPH is the leading source of industrial-grade trans fat found in foods sold in Canada. The new regulation, which entered into force on September 17, therefore prohibits manufacturers from adding partially hydrogenated oils to foods manufactured or imported domestically, as well as to all dishes prepared in restaurants.
Bad for the heart
First, it is important to understand that trans fats are naturally found in some foods of animal origin or can also be produced industrially. Artificial trans fats are designed when hydrogen is added to a liquid vegetable oil. This will give it its solid consistency. Manufacturers use trans fats, including margarines, prepared foods, cookies, commercial pastries, crackers, cereals, granola bars, potato chips, fried foods ... The list is still long!
These trans fats have a detrimental effect on the heart. They raise the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and at the same time, they reduce the rate of "good" cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.
According to Health Canada research and studies, the HPH ban could prevent 12,000 heart attacks over 20 years across the country.
FINALLY ! Some will say
The condemnation of artificial trans fats comes almost 15 years after a majority of members of the House of Commons voted in favor of the idea.
Canada was the first country in 2002 to require manufacturers to list trans fat content on the labels of different products. In the following year, the World Health Organization recommended limiting the amount of energy extracted from trans fats to only 1%.
The time has passed and the ban was finally announced last year to allow the food industry time to adapt to this novelty, it was time to act!