Industrially produced trans fat and saturated fat content of food products in Jamaica

Abstract

Objective. To estimate industrially produced trans and saturated fatty acid levels in foods within the Jamaican food system. Methods. A total of 308 commonly consumed foods were selected for analysis based on their potential to contain trans fatty acids. Samples were collected from supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Official methods of gas chromatography for the analysis of fats were used. The results were expressed as grams of fatty acid per 100 g of food sample and percentage of total fatty acids. Results. Total fat was found to exceed United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) limits in 27.3% (n = 84/308) of food samples. About one-third (33.8%; n = 104/308) of commonly consumed foods in Jamaica contained varying levels of industrially produced trans fatty acids, while 7.8% exceeded the Pan American Health Organization limit of 2% of total fat. Industrially produced trans fatty acids were found in food categories such as canned meats, baked goods, cooking oils, condiments, breakfast cereals, desserts, dairy, spreads, snacks, and confectionery. The subcategories coconut oils and burgers had the highest mean content. Canned food, infant food, and pasta categories had no trans fat present. Saturated fats were found in almost all foods. Importantly, 32.5% (n = 100/308) of the foods had saturated fat concentrations higher than the NHS limit of 5 g per 100 g of food. Most of the food items with high levels of industrially produced trans fatty acids also contained high levels of saturated fats. Conclusions. Food products in Jamaica contain varying levels of fats that exceeded recommendations which support healthy consumption. Further exploration and reformulation efforts are needed to ensure that nutritional qualities are improved.

Breakfast consumption, saturated fat intake, and body mass index among medical and non-medical students: a cross-sectional analysis

“…In our study we evaluated the frequency of consumption of foods rich in saturated fats such as fried chicken, hot dogs, french fries, pizza, hamburger, red meat, among others. The findings of our study are in line with a study that reported that the consumption of red meat and fast foods, such as French fries, pizza, and hamburgers, was consumed more frequently in nonmedical students, as was other ultraprocessed products, such as cookies, cakes, chocolates, chips, or sticks 19 , which are rich in saturated fats and contain trans fats 43 . Similarly, in a recent study that explored food consumption patterns among university students, when asked about their purchasing habits at fast food restaurants, it was found that a significantly higher proportion of non-medical students reported buying this type of food, with 61.19% compared to 57.51% of medical students 37 .…”

Trans isomeric fatty acids in human milk and their role in infant health and development

“…Similar trends were observed in Sweden with the highest total TFA values in 1995–1997 and really low values in 2007 ( 68 ) as well as in Argentina ( 75 ) and Korea ( 76 ). Table 2 summarizes the total TFA values of various food groups based on recent measurements in Thailand ( 77 ), Egypt ( 78 ), Argentina ( 75 ), Spain ( 74 ), Jamaica ( 79 ) and Malaysia ( 80 ). Previous research has shown that both voluntary and regulatory measures to reduce iTFA content in foods have resulted in substantial reductions in global intakes of TFAs over the past two decades ( 61 , 81 , 82 ), including Canada ( 83 ) and the European Union (EU) countries ( 84 ).…”