Cookies and biscuits are a recognized source of trans fatty acids (TFA). Aware of its consumption
worldwide, an update on TFA content was taken in 2012, in a total of 50 samples commercialized in
Portugal. Despite the absence of specific Portuguese legislation, TFA amounts in cookies and biscuits are
generally low, with TFA amounts lower than 0.1 g per 100 g, and an average of 0.6% in the extracted fat in
49 of the 50 samples analyzed. Unfortunately, one sample presented 27% of TFA in the lipids, highlighting
that the problem is still present. Also, a high prevalence of saturated fatty acids was observed, as high as
92.4% in the fat (53.0% on average). This fact is also a major health concern, particularly when the
reformulation of these products in the last years (2006e2012) was effective regarding TFA reduction but
seemed to have occurred at expenses of increasing SFA, thus reducing the potential beneficial effect
achievable by replacing with cis-unsaturated fats, as generally recommended.