[Nutritional profile of foods with zero trans fatty acids claim].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the composition of fatty acids in some foods available in the Brazilian market in which there was a claimed reduction in the amount of trans fatty acids. Also evaluate whether these foods meet recommended amounts for saturated fat consumption, after reduction of trans fat amounts.


METHODS
Industrialized food (creamy margarine A and B, plant sterol margarine, stuffed sweet biscuit, salty biscuit without stuffing, French fried potatoes and a burger lunch from a multinational chain of 'fast food' all with the allegation of 0% trans fat content were purchased in commercial points and analyzed by gas chromatography.


RESULTS
Despite the reduction in trans fatty acid amounts, analyzed foods contained large concentrations of saturated fats mainly palmitic acid. Moreover, some of the foods studied showed a n-6/n-3 ratio outside the recommended for atherosclerosis prevention.


CONCLUSIONS
The unrestricted consumption of such foods has strong deleterious health potential. The absence of trans fatty acid label should be viewed with caution and does not mean a release for unrestricted consumption of such foods.
Instituto do Coração, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. anacarolg@usp.br
Ana Carolina Moron
AC
Gagliardi
Jorge
J
Mancini Filho
Raul D
RD
Santos
D001938:Brazil; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000032:analysis; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis; D009753:Nutritive Value; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids