title: Trans fatty acid content in Malaysian supermarket foods: a field-to-laboratory approach in assessing food risk.
abstract: The extent of industrial trans fatty acids (TFA) in the food supply is unknown in Malaysia, whilst TFA disclosure on food labels is not mandatory by Malaysian food standards. Supermarket foods such as dairy products, fats and oils, meat products, snack foods, soups, and confectionery are commonly cited to be major contributors of TFA in the diet. A consumer survey (n = 622) was used to develop a food listing of these 'high risk' foods. TFA content of high-risk foods were analysed by gas chromatography. Food samples (n = 158) were analysed and their total TFA content were compared with Malaysian Food Standards. A wide variation in TFA content within food categories was indicated. Of the foods containing TFA, many food labels did not cite TFA content or the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO) as an ingredient. Hypothesised estimates of TFA intake from these supermarket foods in a sample day's menu providing 2000 kcal projected a minimum intake of 0.5 g and a maximum intake of 5.2 g TFA. This study found there was no voluntary disclosure of TFA content on food labels or identifying PHVO as an ingredient. It appears that health education targeting consumers to minimise TFA consumption is required supported by mandatory PHVO disclosure on the food label.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Health Sciences , National University of Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur 50300 , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tilakavati
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karupaiah
authors.forename: Hui Kuen
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Wei Wen
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Choon Heen
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Kalyana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundram
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005504:Food Analysis; D008296:Malaysia; D018570:Risk Assessment; D044242:Trans Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D044242:Trans Fatty Acids
keywords: PHVO; gas chromatography; high-risk foods; labelling; supermarket foods; survey; trans fatty acids