Draft Regulation on Trans Acids in Foodstuffs
On 4 October 2018, the Commission published a draft regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 as regards trans fats other than trans fats naturally present in animal fats for the final consumer.
Stakeholders can submit their comments within 4 weeks.
As a reminder, Annex III of Regulation No 1925/2006 sets out the list of substances whose use in food is subject to a prohibition of restrictions or is under Community control.
On 4 December 2009, EFSA adopted a scientific opinion concluding that trans fatty acid intake should be as low as possible on the basis of a nutritionally adequate diet.
On 3 December 2015, the Commission adopted a report on trans fatty acids in foods and diets of the population of the European Union. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the EU and a high intake of trans fatty acids significantly increases the risk of heart disease, more than any other nutrient.
This report concluded that the establishment of a maximum level for industrial trans fatty acids in foods appears to be the most effective measure for consumer protection.
This draft Regulation provides for the establishment of a maximum trans fatty acid limit of 2g/100g fat in foods intended for the final consumer (other than trans fatty acids naturally present in animal fats).
The definitions of “Fat” and “Trans fatty acids” are those defined in Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1169/2011, which are as follows:
Fat: total fat, with phospholipids.
Trans fatty acids: fatty acids that have at least one non-conjugated double bond (i.e. interrupted by at least one methylene group) between carbon atoms in a trans configuration.
The draft Regulation provides that foodstuffs which do not comply with the limit set may be placed on the market until 1 April 2021.
You can consult the entire project at the attached link: DRAFT SANTE/10819/2018.
