A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers?
- The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils.
- The food products are not made out of animal fats.
- The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of consumers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Trans Fat:
- Trans fatty acids (TFAs) or Trans fats are the most harmful type of fats which can have much more adverse effects on the human body than any other dietary constituent.
- If items do not contain trans-fats, it means the food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- In our diet, the major sources of artificial TFAs are the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO)/vanaspati/ margarine while the natural TFAs are present in meats and dairy products, though in small amounts. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
- If items do not contain trans-fats, it means the oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. Hence, statement 3 is correct.