Taiwan outlaws trans fats over three years
Food manufacturers will have three years to phase out the fats from their products, in line with a similar ruling by the United States earlier this year.
Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration initiated steps to outlaw trans fats in September following a directive in July requiring labels to declare trans fat content if a food produced exceeded 0.3g per 100g or millilitre of trans fat.
“Other than ensuring public health, the new law also underscores government commitment to bringing the country’s regulation in line with global standards,” an official said.
The World Health Organisation has set a goal of having a complete ban on trans fat worldwide by 2025. Common in margarine and snack foods, trans-fatty acids lower so-called “good” cholesterol and raise “bad” cholesterol.
According to figures from Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration, an intake of 4-5g of trans fat per day increases the possibility of coronary heart disease by contributing to the build-up of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides inside the arteries.
