What are trans fats?
Trans fats, or to give them their full name, trans fatty
acids (TFA), are fats present in small amounts in a
wide range of foods. Health concerns about
these fats has recently led to many
manufacturers reducing the
amounts of trans fats in foods.
For example, until the
1980s margarines
contained 10-
20% trans fats.
However, since
then, production
methods for
margarines and
spreads have
altered due
to concerns
between trans
fats and risk
of coronary
heart disease.
This has led to
the reformulation
of many margarines
and spreads to make
them much lower and
virtually free of trans fats.