A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers?

1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils.
2. The food products are not made out of animal fats.
3. 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.