Intensive Farming and Food Processing: Implications for Polyunsaturated Fats

Abstract

Intensive methods of rearing jish, broilers, egg layers and pigs can ryduce the proportion of cis polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to saturatedfatty acids in the food. Irradiation, and deep fieezing and cook-chill systems may also reduce PUFAs. It is not known whether microwave exposure converts cis fatty acids to trans. We request that all food items produced by intensive farming and/or processing be regularly analyzed for PUFAs and labelled accordingly. Changes in the methods offeeding food animals, poultry and fib, and their processing, may be partly responsible for the continued high incidence of coronav heart disease.

Nutrition and pharyngeal cancer: Results from a case‐control study in Spain

“…27 Fourth, intensive stock breeding (including pisciculture) gives rises to meat and fish with a higher content of saturated fats at the expense of a reduction in unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats because of feeding methods and lack of physical exercise for animals because of stabling facilities. 28 Finally, the amount of empty calories taken in by humans has dramatically increased in past decades in industrialized countries because of an impressive increment in processed foods; fast food (which is successful because of living and working conditions in big cities) and inadequate dietary habits in children and teenagers result in high consumption of sweet foods and drinks, which most often contain refined sugar, saturated fats, flavorings, sweeteners, and other food additives. 29 This worrisome picture strongly contrasts with the fact that human beings are likely to need richer nutrition nowadays to face increased requirements for detoxification 30 because of an increase in tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug consumption; increased exposure to air, water, and food pollution; and more frequent exposure to occupational toxic agents and to building and decoration materials, pesticides, herbicides, cleaning products, paints, solvents, varnishes, and other products containing chemicals.…”