What's New?
Press Release - 31
January 2007
The Fat Panel calls for balance in fat debate
The Fat Panel welcomes today's announcement, from the British Retail Consortium, but advises people to keep the development in context...
Dr Sarah Berry of The Fat Panel says:
"I am concerned that panic over TFAs is over-shadowing the very real health risks attached to eating too much saturated fat. It is worth noting that whilst TFAs do have a potentially negative effect on health, most of us in the UK are eating well within the recommended limits1, although a small percentage of people do need to reduce their TFA intake. It is perhaps more important for people to be wary about the amounts of saturated fat in their diets. My concern is that saturated fat intake is being overlooked as a health issue, yet it too is responsible for raising the levels of 'bad' cholesterol, which can lead to coronary heart disease and most people in the UK are eating too much saturated fat (70%)2 and need to cut down. Let's not neglect saturated fat as an issue because there is such attention on TFAs."
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Notes to Editors:
Trans fats are produced as by-products of partial hydrogenation and are also found in some animal-derived foods, such as butter, milk and beef - at levels around 3-6%.
1 The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) set a daily recommended value (DRV) for intake of TFAs as less than 2% of daily energy intake. The current intake is 1.2% of energy intake - well within acceptable levels.
2 The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) set a daily recommended value (DRV) of <11% of daily energy intake for saturated fat, but current consumption is at 13%.
For further information please contact:
Emily Dawson on 0207 808 9754 or emily.dawson@nexuspr.com