As of today, 1 April 2021, foods containing more than 2g/100g of industrially produced trans fatty acids are no longer allowed on the EU market. The removal of these trans fatty acids (TFAs) from the food supply is one of the most straightforward public health interventions in the EU.
Using trans fats poses a significant harm to health, especially in increasing the risk of heart attack and heart disease, the single most common cause of death in the EU. Trans fatty acids increase the ‘bad’ cholesterol, LDL, and reduce the ‘good’ cholesterol, HDL. Strictly limiting trans fats in all foods marketed in the EU will save thousands of lives every year.
The fact that all foods on the EU market now have to comply with the Commission Regulation of 2019 on trans fatty acids (which sets harmonised standards for TFAs across the EU) will protect all EU citizens from the harmful use of TFAs; it will also bring all 27 countries in line with the WHO’s call to eliminate industrial trans fats from the global food supply chain by 2023.
“Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) kill more EU citizens than any other disease. Therefore, any reduction in CVD and heart disease incidence will result in major health gains and reductions in health inequalities.” Birgit Beger (EHN CEO).