Press Association
Saturday 11th February 2012
Scottish politicians have been urged to back an attempt to cut the amount of "Frankenstein fats" in food and help save lives.
Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson wants to establish new laws banning retailers from selling products containing chemically-altered industrial vegetable oils, known as trans-fats.
The fats are used in some fast foods, sweets and confectionery, and can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and strokes, experts say.
The proposal would impose a limit on trans-fats of 1%, which Dr Simpson said will effectively allow only naturally-occurring fats in food.
The plan already has the support of the British Heart Foundation but needs cross-party support from 18 MSPs to go forward before the April 12 deadline.
Dr Simpson said: "There are currently no laws in Scotland which regulate the use of these Frankenstein fats and we need to put this right. I believe that if my Bill is passed it will help to reduce the number of Scots who die early from heart disease.
"Most British companies have already removed industrial trans fats from their products, but if we can eliminate the remainder it will both save lives and improve the health of the Scottish people as a whole."
Top Scottish chef Nick Nairn backed the plans and said: "I wholeheartedly agree that legislation is the way forward to reduce and eliminate public consumption of trans-fats, and effectively eliminate trans-fats from the diet of Scottish people.
"This action is a clear illustration of how a government can help to improve the health of the population through considered legislation."
Dr Simpson said the fats are harmful because they stop levels of "good cholesterol" and can lead to a build-up of fatty plaque on arteries.
