Feds drop trans-fat monitoring in foods, despite expert advice

OTTAWA — Health Canada has rejected the advice of its own advisory panel of food experts to renew monitoring of trans-fat levels in processed foods and send a "strong signal" to companies that regulations are on the table if levels don't drop.

The department's Food Expert Advisory Committee made the recommendations in June 2011 after Health Canada asked its external advisers on food policy about how best to manage trans-fat levels in the Canadian food supply.

Ottawa 'poisoning' kids: MP

OTTAWA -- Manitoba NDP MP Pat Martin says the government is poisoning Canada's kids by backing away from a plan to limit trans fats in Canadian food products.

An access to information request from Health Canada was made public Tuesday, showing Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq killed a government plan in 2009 to impose strict limits on trans fats. An announcement was set for October 2009 to phase in limits on trans fats in all Canadian foods to protect Canadians and ensure a level playing field for the food industry. The regulations were to be published in January 2010, and the industry was to have 12 months to comply. A communications plan was developed to announce the plan, but when it went to Aglukkaq's office for approval it was shelved.

"She is undermining the will of Parliament and poisoning another generation of children," said Martin. "I am terribly disappointed."

In 2004, the House of Commons passed a motion calling on the government to admit trans fats were bad for people and to set up a task force with an eye on developing regulations or legislation to limit trans fats within one year.

Trans fats are unsaturated fats that occur often in food processing. They are considered to be among the worst fats to consume because they raise the levels of so-called bad cholesterol and lower what is known as good cholesterol. They have been linked to heart disease. Most trans fats are formed when liquid oils are turned into semi-solids such as shortening or margarine.

Trans fat rules rejected as burden on food industry

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is standing firm Tuesday on taking a voluntary approach with the food industry on trans fat, even though newly released documents show her department was ready to impose regulations in 2009.

Documents obtained by the Centre for Science in the Public Interest show Health Canada had prepared an entire communications plan, news releases and briefing notes for Aglukkaq to announce the food industry would face regulations to limit the amount of trans fat in products after being given two years to do it voluntarily.

"We intend to regulate the levels of trans fat in the Canadian food supply to protect all Canadians from high trans fat intakes and to ensure there is a level playing field for industry," a question period note for Aglukkaq that was prepared in September 2009 said. Another document showed the government intended to publish proposed regulations in the spring of 2010.

A draft news release said Canada has made "significant progress" toward reducing trans fat levels through the industry's voluntary efforts, "however some foods still contain more trans fat than is acceptable." Aglukkaq was going to announce that the proposed regulations would limit the trans fat content of vegetable oils and soft, spreadable margarines to two per cent of the total fat content and all other foods to five per cent.