Today, in the context
of a Standing Committee, Member States endorsed Commission's proposal to set a
maximum limit on the use ofindustrially produced trans-fat in foods in the EU. The measure aims at
protecting consumers' health and promoting healthier food options to Europeans.
Over the years, a number of scientific studies, including a recent one from European
Food Safety Authority, have stressed that the dietary intakes of
trans fatty acids should be as low as possible in order to avoid health risks.
Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, in charge of Health and Food Safety, welcomed
the outcome of the vote, stressing that: "the increasingly high intake of trans fats has been a great
concern for doctors, such as myself, for many years, and numerous scientific
studies have shown that something had to be done about it. Today's favourable
vote is a step forward since it will lead to concrete actions to eliminate
industrially-produced trans fats, for the benefits of the EU citizens.
Following the Parliament exam of the text, I look forward to a final adoption
of the Regulation by spring 2019'. The maximum limit set today
corresponds to 2 grams of trans fats per 100 grams of fat in the food intended
for the final consumer. The European Parliament has now two months to examine
the draft Regulation.