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Trans and saturated fat on food labels in Canada: fact or fiction?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21913591     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Food labels are the number one source for nutrition information for Canadians, but are food labels accurate? This study aims to provide an assessment of the accuracy of the reported trans fatty acid and saturated fatty acid values on food labels in selected foods.
METHODS: Over 380 samples of cookies, crackers, granola bars, breakfast bars and a variety of frozen foods were collected between 2005 and 2008 in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa and Vancouver, as part of Health Canada's Trans Fat Monitoring Program. The food categories chosen were based on earlier studies indicating that they were significant sources of trans fatty acids and the individual samples were chosen based on market share data. The trans fatty acid and saturated fatty acid contents of the samples were determined by gas chromatography and the laboratory results were compared to the values reported in the Nutrition Facts tables.
CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between laboratory and food label values for cookies, crackers, granola bars, breakfast bars and frozen foods for trans fat or saturated fat. The results demonstrate that Canadians can rely on food labels for making informed dietary choices with respect to trans fat and saturated fat content.
Authors:
Peter Pantazopoulos; Keri Kwong; William Lillycrop; Lynn Wong; Yu Gao; Shirley Chalouh; Mark Samadhin; W M Nimal Ratnayake; Sara Krenosky; Lydia Dumais; Mary R L'Abbe
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Canadian journal of public health. Revue canadienne de santé publique     Volume:  102     ISSN:  0008-4263     ISO Abbreviation:  Can J Public Health     Publication Date:    2011 Jul-Aug
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-09-14     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372714     Medline TA:  Can J Public Health     Country:  Canada    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  313-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Food Laboratory Division, Ontario Region, Regions and Programs Branch, Health Canada, Scarborough, ON. peter.pantazopoulos@hc-sc.gc.ca
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