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All products bearing the Health Check logo already meet trans fat levels recommended by a task force of health professionals, government and industry including the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Artificial trans fats are a specific type of fat that are bad for health, especially heart health. The Heart and Stroke Foundation co-chaired a task force with Health Canada which recommended that processed trans fat in vegetable oils and soft margarines be no more than 2% of total fat and for all other foods that processed trans fats be limited to no more than 5% of total fat. Using these recommendations Health Check added nutrient criteria for trans fat to the program in December 2007. Any new products and menu items entering the program must meet the criteria immediately and existing products must reformulate by December 2009 or leave the program. The allowable levels are minimal and do not apply to dairy and meat products where the trans fats are naturally occurring.

Well ahead of the December 2009 deadline, 100 percent of all Health Check restaurant menu and grocery products complied with the new criteria and meet the recommended trans fat levels. “Health Check takes a practical approach by working directly with the food industry and challenging food manufacturers and restaurants to offer healthier choices and ultimately improve the food supply,” says Carol Dombrow, Heart and Stroke Foundation registered dietitian. 

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation a recent report from Health Canada clearly shows there are still too many products available to Canadians with unacceptable levels of heart clogging trans fats. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and other health organizations are calling on government to regulate trans fats in Canada’s Food Supply.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation applauds industry leaders who have shown their commitment to the health of Canadians by removing trans fats from their products and menu items and meeting the Health Check criteria. “Companies have made positive changes to their products and menu items to meet the Health Check nutrient criteria and participate in the program. Removing dangerous trans fats in all Health Check products is a great example of this,” says Dombrow.

Visit the Health Eating section for more information on trans fats including how Health Check can help. Also visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website for more information about what the Heart and Stroke Foundation is doing to reduce trans fat in Canada’s food supply.