Market News

Call to Regulate Trans Fat

The Heart and Stroke Foundation wants Ottawa to regulate the amount of trans fats that producers can include in foods, instead of relying on companies' voluntary compliance to meet low trans fat targets. The call follows the release of what the foundation described as "disappointing" results from Health Canada's trans fat monitoring program. "Although some companies and sectors have stepped up to the plate and done well, overall the food industry is not sufficiently reducing trans fats voluntarily," said Sally Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and co-chair of the Trans Fat Task Force. "So, our view is this data seems to be suggesting quite strongly that it's not going to happen without regulation." Health Canada spokesman John Tessier said no decision has been made on whether legislation will be required to cut trans fat levels in food products. http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1437451 Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, February 20, 2009