UK supermarket Sainsbury's is taking action on trans fats and flavour enhancers by removing them from its own-label processed food and drinks.
The chain plans to phase out the additives - it has 15,000 own-brand lines - by the end of next January. Trans-fats are of coursed linked to to increased cholesterol levels and a greater risk of coronary heart disease. Tesco is a little ahead in aiming for a similar removal by the end of the year. Marks & Spencer has already stopped using hydrogenated vegetable oils – the base for trans fats –in its food production.
Trans fats have received a lot of attention in the UK of late. While they occur naturally in some meat and dairy products their main source is manufactured foods. Health representatives are calling for proper labeling highlighting them in foods such as margarine, chips, biscuits and so on.
High levels are found in KFC Colonel's regular crispy strips and fries (4.4g/portion), McDonald's McNuggets and regular fries (3g), Saxby's fresh ready rolled short pastry (2.5g), Burger King Whopper and regular fries (2.3g) and Sainsbury's puff pastry minced beef & onion pie (1.8g)
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