To the Editor: Trans fats are produced by partial hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils to produce oils which are more solid at room temperature and have better physical properties for food processing, such as increased shelf-life. Trans fats represent a major dietary cardiovascular disease risk, with as little as 5 g daily increasing the risk of ischaemic heart disease by 25%.1 A recently published survey of the trans-fat content of French fries and chicken nuggets purchased from two international fast food chains in 20 countries emphasises the wide variability of trans fats in different countries.2 This work highlights the potential health risks imposed by the industrially generated trans fats in these food products. Of the sampled French fries and nuggets, 20 of 39 samples from 19 different countries yielded trans-fat levels in excess of 5 g for an average serve. Interestingly, the report included no data from Australia.

We have evidence that similar fast foods have substantial quantities of trans fats (putting Australia in the mid-range of the league table). The only available published results are those reported by the Australian Consumers Association (ACA) in 2005.3 The ACA tested 55 foods and found 18 had trans-fat levels greater than 2% of total fat. The interesting issue is that the ACA data show a variation in trans-fat levels of greater than 22-fold (0.8%–22.5% of total fat) in popular fast foods.

Data on trans-fat levels should be available on all foods in this country, whether sold in supermarkets or to the food service industry. However, at present, there is no requirement to include trans-fat content on nutrient information panels, except when the manufacturer wishes to make a nutritional claim about cholesterol, saturated, unsaturated or trans-fatty acids.4 Many countries, including the United States, Canada and some European countries, have either placed limits on the permissions for trans fat in processed foods, or, more commonly, mandated labelling requirements. The most notable is Denmark, where legislation restricts maximal industrially produced trans fats to less than 2%.5 Not surprisingly, that country reported markedly lower trans-fat contents in fries and nuggets than those sold in Australia.2 Despite review of the “Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code”, labelling of the trans-fat content of food has not been mandated,4 and consumers and health professionals wishing to reduce their trans-fats intake remain unable to make informed choices.