Fletcher Releases More Data Showing the Trans Fat Levels in Foods are Declining

July 21, 2008

OTTAWA — Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament for Charleswood–St. James–Assiniboia and Parliamentary Secretary for Health today announced that Canada is continuing to make progress in offering healthier food choices for Canadians. Results from the second set of data (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/gras-trans-fats/tfa-age2-eng.php) from Health Canada’s trans fat monitoring program has been posted, and they continue to be encouraging.

Today’s release marked the latest progress made dating back to the 2004 motion championed by Mr. Fletcher when he served as Conservative Party of Canada Health Critic while in opposition.

In June 2007, the Conservative Government called on industry to voluntarily reduce the levels of trans fat in the Canadian food supply to the levels recommended by the Trans Fat Task Force, and announced that the Government would monitor the progress.

The Trans Fat Task Force recommended a trans fat limit of 2% of the total fat content for all vegetable oils and soft, spreadable margarines, and a limit of 5% of the total fat content for all other foods, including ingredients sold to restaurants.

“I am very pleased to see that industry is continuing to make progress to reduce the levels of trans fat,” said Parliamentary Secretary Fletcher. “This second set of data, which focused on popular fast food chains and family restaurants in Canada, further illustrates the commitment of industry to achieve the limits recommended by the Trans Fat Task Force. The fact that we’re seeing reductions in the levels of trans fat in so many areas is great news for all Canadians.”

"Today's results are extremely encouraging and demonstrate the tremendous progress made by the entire food industry in reducing trans fat in the food supply," said Ron Reaman, Vice President Federal of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. "To have achieved these levels of trans fat reductions, well in advance of the Minister's June 2009 deadline, is a testament to the industry's genuine commitment to implementing the national Trans Fat Task Force recommendations which we all support and which deliver healthier options for Canadians."

Eating Well With Canada’s Food Guide provides recommendations on the amount and type of food recommended to ensure a healthy diet. Canadians are advised to limit the amount of saturated and trans fat in their diet for good health.

“By monitoring trans fat levels and releasing further trans fat data today, we are helping Canadian families to better understand the foods they are eating,” said Parliamentary Secretary Fletcher. “I am also pleased to announce that the recently updated resource booklet Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods is now free of charge to Canadians. This booklet provides detailed information on the nutrient values of over 1000 of the most commonly consumed foods in Canada and is another tool that can assist Canadians in making healthy foods choices and live healthier lives.”

The next set of data to be posted as part of Health Canada’s trans fat monitoring program is planned for the end of 2008.

For more information on trans fat and nutrition or for information on the Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods booklet, please visit the Healthy Canadians Web site (http://www.healthycanadians.ca/index_e.html) or the Food and Nutrition (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/index-eng.php) section of the Health Canada Web site.