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Proposal to ban trans-fats in Belgium

Belgium

11:58 16/07/2015

Federal MP Nele Lijnen (Open VLD) plans to propose a bill banning the use of trans-fats in all foodstuffs in Belgium, following the US example.

Trans-fats are unsaturated fats of animal or vegetable origin that have been partially hydrogenated – treated with hydrogen – to make them solid or semi-solid. That makes them appealing to the food industry for processed foods because the texture is perfect for baked goods and because trans-fats have a longer shelf life. Trans-fats are also used in deep-frying and in margarines and other spreads.

Consumption of trans-fats, which have historically been marketed as a healthier alternative to animal fats, like lard and butter, has been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease, one of the world’s leading causes of death. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration has given the industry three years to eliminate trans-fats from its processes completely, arguing that the products are “not generally recognised as safe”.

The US decision led the European Cardiology Society to press for a similar ban in the EU. Lijnen said that there is a consensus within the leading coalition in the Belgian parliament.

Photo: Ingimage

Written by Alan Hope

Comments

djasta_prasta

Go for it!

Jul 16, 2015 22:47

Jenhall

This is good news!

A diet high in trans-fats increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. They increase the 'bad' cholesterol in your blood and decrease the 'good'.
However, since we've found out how bad it is for our health, many manufacturers have reduced their use of it and many British supermarkets have stopped stocking processed foods that contain it. That said, of course a complete ban of their use in processed foods would still be a good thing.

It is typically found in cookies, pastries, baked goods, fried foods and some margarines. Trans-fats are also found in low amounts in non-processed foods such as meat and dairy products. You can check if a product contains trans-fats by checking the food label for "partially hydrogenated vegetable oils" or "huiles partiellement hydrogénées".

More information on fats is available here: http://brusselsdietitian.com/2014/06/29/fats-part-1/

Jul 17, 2015 12:09

acsonline

May not be particularly healthy but looks scrumptious on the picture!

Jul 17, 2015 14:53

jon-bxl

Hi I think Trans-fats and Sugar are probably the worst....

However on a related issue, the US are considering removing high fatty (non-trans fat) and cholesterol from their 'list of nutrients of concern'

Meaning we can eat fatty food (non-trans) and there is a lack of evidence that saturated fat is connected to cardio vascular disease. If the litigious society of America are considering dropping this you can bet there has been a LOT if research done!

This is good news to me, a fry-up lover!! (And the rest! :) )

So if the Flemish government is considering following the US - then perhaps they should take a look at the whole 'fat question' and do one campaign to include it all.

Take a look at posts 1 & 5 on a thread where I posted all the info

http://britishexpats.com/forum/siesta-time-113/great-news-lovers-fry-ups...

Happy eating!

Jon

Jul 18, 2015 10:03