Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Commission Daily News, 5 October 2018
The Commission launched a feedback mechanism to seek stakeholders' views on setting a maximum limit of trans fats of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat in the food intended for the final consumer.
Commission's proposed Regulation comes as a follow-up of the Report adopted in 2015 and of discussions with stakeholders (notably NGOs, industry…) which have been taking place since. The proposal is also based on a number of scientific studies, such as the recent one from the European Food Safety Authority which stresses again that dietary intakes of trans fatty acids should be as low as possible in order to avoid health risks.
Despite health warnings in some Central and Southern European countries, industrial trans fats levels in pre-packaged biscuits, cakes and wafers have not dropped meaningfully since mid-2000. Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, in charge of Health and Food Safety said: "For many years now, scientific studies have shown that a high intake of trans fats undoubtedly increases the risk of heart disease. With the proposed Regulation, the Commission acts on its commitment to deliver on the matter. I look forward to constructive input during this feedback mechanism so that the Regulation can be adopted as soon as possible for the benefit of our citizens' health".
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