A survey to determine the trans fatty acid content of a range of processed foods was carried out in
response to recent formulation work by the food industry to lower the artificial trans fatty acid content
of processed products. Sixty two composite samples, made up of between 5 and 12 sub-samples, were
collected in 2010 and were analysed for fatty acids, and a range of nutrients. The foods analysed included
pizza, garlic bread, breakfast cereals, quiche, fat spreads, a range of fish and meat products, chips, savoury
snacks, confectionery and ice cream. Levels of trans fatty acids were reduced considerably compared with
previous UK analyses of similar foods where comparisons are possible. Concentrations of trans elaidic
acid (t9-C18:1) from hydrogenated oils in all samples were