Heart Foundation regrets change

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 13

Heart Foundation regrets change

Changes to the legislation covering margarine have not been welcomed by the National Heart Foundation. ' The changes, effective from January 1, 1990, repeal the Margarine Act, 1908, and amend the Food Regulations Act, 1984, to allow the sale of coloured saturated table margarine. Dr David Hay, the director of the foundation said that many consumers would be confused by the change. “We have been en-

couraging people to reduce their consumption of saturated fats which are associated with high blood cholesterol levels and an increased risk of coronary disease. We have suggested that more polyunsaturated fats such as poly-unsaturated margarine should be used.

“People have just started to catch on to the idea that poly-unsaturated margarine offers some health benefits in terms of lowering blood cholesterol for those at high risk. “Now . along comes saturated margarine and I

predict there will be total confusion for consumers.”

Any health advantages obtained by the reduction in the saturated fat intake would be lost because the consumer would not know what to think, said Dr Hay.

“I doubt whether the most informative type of labelling will clarify an already thoroughly muddled situation. A vigorous marketing war will make it all worse. “This move is against the spirit of the Report on the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases.”