Health Canada is introducing a regulatory proposal to prohibit the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs)—the main source of industrially produced trans fats.

Consuming trans fats increases a person’s risk of heart disease, notes Health Canada, who go on to say that, in the 1990s, Canadians had one of the highest intakes of trans fats in the world. Although fewer trans fats are consumed today, the organisation believes more needs be done to reduce Canadians’ trans fat intake. In pursuit of this goal, Health Canada is introducing a regulatory proposal to prohibit the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs)—the main source of industrially produced trans fats—in food to help protect the health of all Canadians.

A Notice of Proposal detailing the proposed regulation has been posted online to seek comments from Canadians, including stakeholders. Comments will be accepted from April 7 to June 21, 2017.

Prohibiting the use of PHOs in all foods sold in Canada represents a significant and final step in Health Canada’s efforts to reduce trans fats in the Canadian food supply to the lowest possible level, it says. This builds on previous measures, which include mandatory nutrition labelling of trans fats and setting voluntary maximum limits for these fats in processed foods.

once the regulation is finalized, the prohibition would come into effect one year later to provide manufacturers time to reformulate their products.

Eliminating PHOs from the Canadian food supply is an important part of Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy, which aims to make the healthier choice the easier choice for all Canadians. The strategy aims to improve the availability of information on healthy eating, strengthen requirements for labelling and health claims, improve the nutritional quality of foods, protect vulnerable populations, and support increased access to and availability of nutritious foods.

The Healthy Eating Strategy is a component of the vision for a healthy Canada, which focuses on healthy eating, healthy living and a healthy mind.

"Through the Healthy Eating Strategy, our government is working to make the healthier choice the easier choice,” said Jane Philpott, Minister of Health. “By prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils, we are removing the largest source of industrial trans fats from Canadas food supply and helping reduce the risk of heart disease."