
Probably 50,000 heart disease deaths among EU citizens might be caused by food products high in trans fats. Article 152 of the EC Treaty says that a "high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities".This is why the Mayor of Nynäshamn, Dr Ilija Batljan, launches a sign-in campaign on World Health Day, April 7. The aim is to raise one million signatures in order to make the European Union act against trans fats in foods.
There are two demands:
- As of June 1, 2009, Trans Fat must be listed on food labels, on a separate line immediately under the line for the declaration of saturated fatty acids.
- As of June 1, 2009, the content of trans fatty acids in the oils and fats, including emulsions with fat as the continuous phase (including all C14 to C22 trans isomers but excluding naturally occurring content of trans fatty acids in animal fats), which, either alone or as part of processed foods, a re intended for human consumption or must be assumed to be intended for human consumption shall not exceed 2 grams per 100 grams of oil or fat.