Trans Fatty Acids Content and Fatty Acid Profiles in the Selected Food Products from Korea between 2005 and 2008

Abstract

Since a high intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) has been associated with the increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, food regulation worldwide has been amended with respect to nutrition labeling and health claims on TFA. In the present study, the TFA levels of Korean food products were investigated to assess the regulation effect of TFA labeling. Same Korean food products within 7 different categories were purchased in years 2005 and 2008, and the contents of TFA and lipid and fatty acid composition were investigated. Lipid and TFA contents decreased in all food products manufactured in 2008. TFA levels were 0.01 to 6.88 g/100 g food in 2005, but the levels remarkably decreased to nondetectable level or up to 0.5 g TFA/100 g food in 2008. The foods from 2005 contained a various level of TFA ranging 0.6% to 44.6% of total fatty acids; however, the TFA level significantly decreased in most foods up to 3.8% from year 2008. For TFAs, trans C18:1 levels were greater than trans isomers of C18:2, and the levels in 2005 were significantly reduced in 2008 (P < 0.05). TFA levels at the sn-2 position were up to 48.3% of total fatty acids in 2005, but the level considerably decreased up to 5.4% in 2008. The considerably decreased content of TFA in 2008 suggested that food manufacturers recognized the adverse effect of TFA on human health and followed the compulsory trans fat labeling rule by Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA), which started December 2007.

The Impact of Policies to Reduce trans Fat Consumption: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

“…Although all of the studies that reported on the different FAs in products pre– and post–policy interventions found reductions in TFA amounts in foods, there were mixed findings in terms of SFA amounts in foods. Seven studies included information on MUFA and PUFA contents in foods ( 18 – 20 , 22 , 28 , 29 , 31 ), 6 of which found increases in either MUFAs or PUFAs (or both). Moreover, 12 studies examined the combined TFA and SFA contents of foods before and after the introduction of a TFA policy, with all but one study ( 22 ) reporting a reduction post–policy intervention.…”

Effects of interpretive nutrition labels on consumer food purchases: the Starlight randomized controlled trial ,

“…There has been consistent evidence that a mandatory or widely implemented labeling of foods has an effect through food reformulation. The adoption of the Choices logo in the Netherlands (25), the mandatory trans fat labeling in South Korea (26), and the Pick the Tick logo in New Zealand (27) has led, in each instance, to improvements in the nutrient profile of food products on the market. Thus, the main mechanism through which labels work to affect the diets of populations may be by creating an incentive for food manufacturers to improve the nutritional profile of their products.…”

A Meta-Analysis of Food Labeling Effects on Consumer Diet Behaviors and Industry Practices

“…Most studies evaluated intakes of specific products or meals as outcomes, rather than longterm (habitual) intakes. About half were performed in general community, 45,52,53,[55][56][57][58]61,[71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81]84,85,[90][91][92][93]97,98,101,[103][104][105][106] and half in universities/ schools 49,54,59,60,[62][63][64]70,83,88,89,99,100,102 or hospitals/other worksites 50,51,[65][66]…”