The US regulatory authorities decided not to exclude TFA derived from rumen hydrogenation from labelling requirements; consequently, dairy products must be appropriately labelled. However, TFA with conjugated bonds are not included because they do not meet the US regulatory definition of TFA, which is unsaturated fatty acids that contain one or more ‘all isolated double bonds in a configuration.’ trans New approaches to risk management in Australia and New Zealand Approaches and options Several approaches are currently used to manage the risk of TFA in the food supply. are comprised of voluntary labelling and claims, mandatory labelling, compositional restrictions or combinations of the above (Table Additional approaches, such as industry 4). initiatives, codes of practice, education and recommendations and policy initiatives are also valuable tools in managing the risks surrounding TFA intake. In Australia and New Zealand, additional measures are being introduced at the company level. Table 4 Approaches for risk management Australia EU USA Canada Denmark and NZ Voluntary labelling and/or health 9 9 9 9 9 claims Mandatory labelling 8 8 9 9 8 Mandatory compositional (9)# 8 8 8 9 restrictions #currently under consideration The following risk management approaches, including consideration of priority areas for risk management (e.g. packaged food, take-away foods), could be considered by FSANZ as part of an assessment process: Maintain the status manufacturers may voluntarily declare the TFA content quo: of their products. TFA content must be declared when a claim in relation to cholesterol content or fatty acid profile of a food is made. No additional to industry, no risk of consumer confusion Advantages: Manufactured TFA may remain in the food supply at current Disadvantages: levels; consumers are not informed on TFA content of some foods Maintain the regulatory but develop a strategy of non-regulatory risk status quo, management measures. Costs to industry are carefully managed; emphasis on consumer Advantages: education. Rate of change may be low, some sections of industry may not get Disadvantages: involved, and consumers are not informed on TFA content of some foods.
The US regulatory authorities decided not to exclude TFA derived from rumen hydrogenation from labelling requirements; consequently, dairy products must be appropriately labelled. However, TFA with conjugated bonds are not included because they do not meet the US regulatory definition of TFA, which is ‘all unsaturated fatty acids that contain one or more isolated double bonds in a trans configuration.’ New approaches to risk management in Australia and New Zealand Approaches and options Several approaches are currently used to manage the risk of TFA in the food supply. are comprised of voluntary labelling and claims, mandatory labelling, compositional restrictions or combinations of the above (Table 4). Additional approaches, such as industry initiatives, codes of practice, education and recommendations and policy initiatives are also valuable tools in managing the risks surrounding TFA intake. In Australia and New Zealand, additional measures are being introduced at the company level. Table 4 Approaches for risk management Australia and NZ EU USA Canada Denmark Voluntary labelling and/or health claims 9 9 9 9 9 Mandatory labelling 8 8 9 9 8 Mandatory compositional restrictions 8 8 8 (9)# 9 #currently under consideration The following risk management approaches, including consideration of priority areas for risk management (e.g. packaged food, take-away foods), could be considered by FSANZ as part of an assessment process: Maintain the status quo: manufacturers may voluntarily declare the TFA content of their products. TFA content must be declared when a claim in relation to cholesterol content or fatty acid profile of a food is made. Advantages: No additional to industry, no risk of consumer confusion Disadvantages: Manufactured TFA may remain in the food supply at current levels; consumers are not informed on TFA content of some foods Maintain the regulatory status quo, but develop a strategy of non-regulatory risk management measures. Advantages: Costs to industry are carefully managed; emphasis on consumer education. Disadvantages: Rate of change may be low, some sections of industry may not get involved, and consumers are not informed on TFA content of some foods.
Transfat%20report%202007.docx