Transfats Where the dangerous fatty acids lurk

Foods that are very rich in fat are not only bad for the figure. If you take too much unhealthy foods, it is proven that you are damaging your heart, your blood vessels, your joints and your brain. The cause is the harmful trans fat. For this reason, the US now wants to set a good example and ban the dangerous fatty acids. Because especially in the states, obesity is very common. In the next three years, the trans fat must be removed from the food. In Germany, such a legislative initiative does not exist. There are not even limits. So consumers have to pay attention to which foods do not harm the body.
French fries, potato chips or biscuits
Experts have been warning for years: trans fat is an everyday health hazard. The unsaturated fatty acids have a negative effect on the level of cholesterol and thus promote the development of atherosclerosis and increase the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. In addition, studies have shown that trans fats are co-responsible for high blood pressure, overweight and obesity and diabetes. Even unborn children can harm them according to research. Trans fats are artificially hydrogenated fats that are produced, among other things, in the industrial hardening of oils. Since the body can not process trans fat, these are considered even more harmful than saturated fat. The foods that contain a great deal of these fats include baked goods, especially with puff pastry, ready meals, fried foods such as chips, potato chips and biscuits. For years, health experts have been calling for a more consistent approach to such fats in the diet. For example, at the beginning of the year, the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that there are millions of people killed by unhealthy lifestyles worldwide and that this figure would be significantly reduced by measures such as a ban on tobacco and alcohol advertising and the replacement of trans fat. In the US, the authorities have now become active: Transfats must have disappeared from food within three years.

Trans fat lurks especially in fast food dishes. Picture: photo 5000 - fotolia

Authorities in the US became active years ago
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) justified the ban by saying that the unsaturated fatty acids are not safe for consumption. According to AFP news agency, the agency expects the ban to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of heart attacks each year. Although consumption has already declined significantly, the current level still poses a threat to public health. Since 2006, food manufacturers in the USA have had to indicate the proportion of trans fat in the product on the packaging. In 2013, the FDA stated that the unsaturated fatty acids produced from the hardening of vegetable oil could not be considered to be "safer" ingredients for food.

Health hazard due to trans fats. Image: MAN AT MOUSE - Fotolia

Trans fat must disappear within three years
The producers now have to remove trans fat from their goods within three years. Only in exceptional cases, with the approval of the FDA, their use in food is permitted. FDA chief Stephan Ostroff said, "The FDA's crackdown on this major source of artificial trans fats demonstrates the agency's commitment to the heart health of all Americans." In Germany, trans fats must be declared only on foods that are regulated by the diet, such as Baby food. But on many other products there are hints on the fats. As reported by "Zeit Online", the nutritionist Antje Gahl of the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) said that manufacturers can voluntarily identify trans fat in this country. "As a consumer, I have to pay attention to whether" hardened "or" partially hydrogenated fats "appear among the ingredients," said the expert. "If so, I know that trans fats are included, but not in what amount." For unpackaged foods, consumers can hardly figure out if trans fats are included.

No measures planned in Germany
"At most 1 percent of the calories consumed daily should come from trans fat," explained Walter Vetter from the Institute of Food Chemistry at the University of Hohenheim. "Up to 80% of our daily dairy intake is already covered, so it is advisable to avoid foods that contain trans fat." This is a guideline rather than an official limit. As the "time" continues to write, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is currently not planned to take more action against trans fat, as most people in Germany, the consumption limit does not even reach. Other EU countries are still there. "Denmark is considered a trailblazer," explained nutritionist Stefan Lorkowski. "Since 2003, the country has imposed a legal limit of no more than two percent on industrially manufactured trans fatty acids in the fat content of food." Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland then set limits. However, ingredients that can replace trans fats are also often treacherous. "Frying foods alternatively with vegetable oils instead of hardened fats is not necessarily healthier," says Walter Vetter. Frequently, the alternatives include other toxic substances that cause damage in other ways. In the US, the ban is welcomed by many experts. "The action will save many thousands of lives each year," said Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Companies wishing to continue to use trans fats in their products will in future have to ask the FDA for permission and strict safety regulations. (Ad)