AreaEuropean Union

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityTrans-fatty acid

Date01/10/2018

Policy CategoryOther

Policy InstrumentFood standards

DescriptionProposed introducing an EU-wide threshold of 2 percent for trans-fats content in food products.

NotesThe European Commission proposed setting an EU-wide maximum limit of 2 percent for trans fats (other than trans fat naturally occurring in animal fat) in food products. Under the draft regulation, food operators would have until 1 April 2021 to ensure compliance with the new requirement. Industry stakeholders have been given 4 weeks to submit comments on the proposal. In recent years, the presence of hydrogenated vegetable oils – the primary dietary source of industrial trans fats – has been regulated in several countries, including a number of EU member states (see also MPPU Feb.’16, Oct.&Dec.’17, May&Aug.’18). According to an EU consumer organization, while average levels of industrial trans fat in foods decreased in general, content of the unhealthy fatty acid can remain high in specific products in some countries. The group regretted the envisaged long transition period.