The European Commission is planning legislation to set a legal cap on trans fats in food, something it has been asked to do for several years, but it will still be possible for food with trans fats exceeding the limit to be sold on the market until April 2021, according to a draft regulation that the Commission announced on Friday 5 October, the day after its publication on its website for stakeholders to consult.
The European Parliament and the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC) have consistently called on the Commission to legislate to tackle the public health scourge of the trans fats that are found in large quantities in food (prepared meals, cakes, quiches, pizza, margarine, chips, bars of chocolate and pre-packaged bakery products) without the consumer knowing their properties (see EUROPE 12061, 11655).
Under the draft regulation, the upper legal limit on trans fats will be 2 grammes for each hundred grammes of animal fat for food for end consumers; it will still be possible to sell food not meeting this standard until 1 April 2021; the definitions of ‘fats’ and ‘trans fatty acids’ will be aligned with those in Annex 1 to the regulation on food information for consumers (regulation 1169/2011).
Heath and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis is proud of the report, noting in a press release: ‘For many years now, scientific studies have shown that a high intake of trans fats undoubtedly increases the risk of heart disease. With the proposed Regulation, the Commission acts on its commitment to deliver on the matter. I look forward to constructive input during this feedback mechanism.’
BEUC deplores transition period. The organisation welcomes the fact the limit is what it itself was recommending, but regrets the transition period: "Consumer groups have pushed for a legislative limit for this unhealthy substance for many years. It is the most effective means to lower consumption for all consumers, no matter where they live in Europe.’ She added: ‘We regret however the long transition period granted until April 2021. National limits have existed for over 15 years in some countries with proven effects and little disruption to industry."
The text can be found at: https://bit.ly/2Csskqt. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)