TFA labelling should be transparent and provide information covering all sources (i.e. also ruminant sources)
📄 The recent WHO report on “Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children”* dietary fats reiterated that both TFA sources (ruminant and industrial) have the same negative impact on health and that the intake of both sources need to be minimised. Industrial TFA is by law** limited to maximal 2% on fat base. Currently there is no limit set for ruminant TFA.
Labelling is a very useful tool to help consumers to make healthy choices. The #EuropeanMargarinesector (IMACE) supports a mandatory nutrition labelling of the actual TFA content for both ruminant and non-ruminant TFA.
* Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023;
** Regulation (EU) 2019/649 – amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as regards trans fats, other than trans-fat originally occurring in fat of animal origin.