Diners at risk from hidden fats
Food manufacturers are putting lives at risk by failing to cut the amount of dangerous fats in foods, according to consumer experts.
A study by consumer magazine Health Which? discovered trans fats, which are also known as trans fatty acids, in different kinds of foods - including some thought by customers to be healthy choices and many sold in pubs.
Eating trans fatty acids is thought to increase the risk of heart disease.
The study criticised food manufacturers for not doing enough to cut the risk for customers.
Trans fatty acids are created when hydrogen is bubbled through vegetable oil to make hydrogenated fat and oil, used to make products last longer.
They are of no benefit nutritionally and, according to some experts, cutting their consumption can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Certain popular varieties of packet soups, biscuits, crackers, pies, vegetarian sausages and cereal bars sold to caterers and in supermarkets contain the trans fatty acids. "There is now strong evidence that trans fatty acids are harmful and that cutting down on them, together with saturated fats, could help reduce your risk of heart disease.
"While it may be difficult to eat a diet totally free of trans fatty acids, where possible consumers should try to replace hydrogenated fats with unsaturated fats, could help reduce your risk of heart disease.
"Our research suggests that the food industry isn't taking the issue seriously enough."
It is not the first time that the food industry has been slammed by health chiefs for harming the nation's fitness.
Manufacturers and caterers have been warned of the threat of litigation after research showed fatty food, such as pub grub favourites sausage and chips, could be addictive.
Earlier this month the World Cancer Research Fund said manufacturers' increasing portion sizes and meal deals had led to the obesity epidemic threatening British people.
And it called on pubs, restaurants and food manufacturers to make healthy choices easier for consumers. "We must recognise that the food and drinks industry may be contributing to the unhealthy nutritional environment which promotes obesity," said Dr Philip Green, chairman of the International Obesity Taskforce.
