Reply #73: Done Deal! It's got all party support! [View All]

[MojoRoad]

Canada to seek near ban on trans fats



OTTAWA—In a rare moment of consensus, the government and opposition parties have united to declare war on trans fats — heart-clogging compounds present in many processed foods.

Canada will become the second country in the world, after Denmark, to seek a virtual ban on trans fats from its national menu.

The government will create a task force including experts from the food industry, academia and advocacy groups to recommend strategies for reducing trans fats in food, Carolyn Bennett, secretary of state for public health, announced yesterday.

Bennett said she was pleased to get support from all parties including the Conservatives who were initially rumoured to have objections.

"I think this is an example of the fabulous co-operation you can get in Parliament," she said in an interview.

"The evidence is very clear that trans fats are bad and we should keep them to the lowest possible level."

The announcement came as the Commons wrapped up a day of debate on a motion by NDP MP Pat Martin calling for the virtual elimination of trans fats.

A gram of trans fat is said to be 10 times more damaging to heart health than a gram of saturated fat.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has played a leading role in the campaign to reduce trans fat levels.

Trans fats occur naturally but most are created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil, a process known as hydrogenation. Canadians eat up to 10 grams of trans fats a day, one of the highest rates in the world. It's found in a lot of fast foods and many commercial baked goods.

Denmark has set a goal of reducing trans fats to no more than 2 per cent of food content but Bennett said Canada's goal will be adapted to its food supply. She noted that canola oil, an important Canadian product, contains 3 per cent trans fats. It's highly unlikely that any party would want to damage the canola industry.

"I'm very heartened that no one challenged the science," Bennett said.

Task force members will be chosen by the Commons health committee and recommendations should be ready within a year.

Canadian Press