Trans-fatty acids are a type of saturated fatty acids with a negative impact on general health if consumed in large quantities. Denmark was the first country in the world to have adopted legislation on the industrial use of trans-fatty acids in foods setting a maximum level on the content in processed foods.
In 2019 EU rules on trans-fatty acids were established in the Regulation (EU) 2019/649 of 24 April 2019 amending Annex III to regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards trans-fat, other than trans-fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin.
The most important aspects of the legislation are:
- It applies to industrially produced oils and fats that are intended for, or likely to be consumed by, humans either alone or as part of food products.
- It does not apply to animal fats with a natural content of trans-fatty acids.
- The content of trans-fatty acids in oils, fats and food products must not exceed 2 grams per 100 grams of oil or fat.
The control of any legislative infringements is carried out by the local authorities under The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.