Margarine, pastry producers slow to reduce trans-fat levels: task force
Last Updated: Monday, July 21, 2008 | 12:05 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
Video
- Marissa Dragani reports: Margarine, pastry producers slow to reduce trans-fat levels: task force (Runs: 2:21)
- Play: Real Media »
- Play: QuickTime »
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
The task force, a partnership between Health Canada and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, said Monday that while many fast-food restaurants have eliminated trans fats, many soft margarine producers have been resistant to change.
"There is no excuse for the high levels of trans fats in many margarines," Sally Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and co-chair of the task force, said in a release.
"These levels are due to a lack of will, not lack of ability."
The task force said margarines such as Golden Gate Soya Oil, Golden Gate Canola Oil and Chefmaster Soft Tub all contain high amounts of trans fat.
Coffee Time, Dunkin' Donuts, and Robins' Donuts were also identified for producing doughnuts with high-trans fat levels.
In June 2007, Health Canada encouraged Canadian food companies to eliminate trans fats voluntarily from their products within two years.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement cautioned that if manufacturers failed to comply with the request, the government would establish regulatory trans-fat limits.
The task force on Monday called on Health Canada to continue monitoring trans-fat levels in hard margarines, doughnuts and pastries.
The task force noted that Burger King, which was criticized last December, has significantly lowered trans-fat levels.
In June, New York City introduced a ban on trans fats, forcing restaurants to rewrite their recipes and alter their menus.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- Montreal protesters march in peaceful defiance
- The clanging of pots and pans sounded throughout Montreal's downtown core Saturday night and into early Sunday morning, as thousands of protesters marched on in peaceful — but loud — defiance of Bill 78. more »
- Syrian children massacred by the dozens, UN says
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed in an artillery attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Quebec tornadoes cause millions in damage
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Montreal protesters march in peaceful defiance
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- WWE apologizes to Brazil over Canadian's flag stomp
