Levels of a dangerous industrially produced fat in European foods are falling – but are still too high, researchers warned today.
Millions of Europeans remain at risk from trans fatty acids, also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable fat, according to the new study.
Experts said this massively increased the risk of heart disease in many countries.
The study of foods across the continent, such as chips and chicken nuggets, found that transfatty acid use across the continent had fallen in the last five years.
In the west of Europe it has also fallen in popcorn, cakes and biscuits – but not in Eastern Europe.
Researcher Professor Steen Stender, of Copenhagen University, Denmark, praised countries which have passed laws to limit the use of the substances. There are three of these, Denmark, Austria and Switzerland.
Meanwhile European experts today called for targets to cut heart deaths across the continent by a quarter by 2025.
The European Society of Cardiology joined other major cardiology organisations in pressing for a global target to reduce premature deaths from heart disease.
Dr Hans Stam, president of the European Heart Network, said: "In addition to policies that aid in prevention, it is also paramount that those living with cardiovascular disease and at risk of developing disease have access to prevention and rehabilitation services, including affordable and simple medical treatments."
Dr Sidney Smith, president of the World Heart Federation, said: "The number of people with cardiovascular disease is growing and its impact is disproportionately felt by those in the developing world, where people die younger; we now have the opportunity of a lifetime to stem its rise with concerted international action that will help countries tackle the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease."
A trans European Union difference in the decline in trans fatty acids in popular foods: a market basket investigation BMJ Open September 18 2012; doi 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000859
Leave a Reply