Denmark pioneered the banning of industrially-produced trans fats in food in 2003, becoming a trailblazer for other European governments determined to protect their public’s health from this heart disease-causing threat.
"We currently have seven countries in the European region that have a legal ban on trans fat. And it all started with Denmark," said Dr. João Breda, head of the WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases.
Back in the 1990s—prompted by a 1993 landmark study published in The Lancet on trans fat consumption and increased risk of heart disease in the United States (1), the Danish Nutrition Council began monitoring trans fats in the food supply and produced a series of reports on the health impact of trans fat in Denmark (2).
In 2001, the Council estimated that 50 000 Danes were at high risk for cardiovascular disease from their intake of trans fat, and suggested the Government legislate to limit trans fat content in foods (3). The report received widespread media attention.
Margarine was found to be the main source of trans fat for individual and consumer use, followed by packaged snack products, bakery goods and confectionary items. Microwave popcorn was in a league of its own. Up to 40% of the fat content in the salty treat came from trans fats, an alarming figure given 20 to 30 million bags of microwave popcorn were consumed annually in Denmark. The fat used for deep-frying fast food was another area of concern, with trans fat accounting for more than 10% of the oils used.
In 2003, Denmark introduced a law limiting the amount of trans fat to 2 grams per 100 grams of fat or oil. Oils labeled “trans fat free” could not contain more than 1 gram per 100 grams of fat. Multi-ingredient food could contain up to five grams of trans fat for every 100 grams of oil or fat, but only until December 2003. The rule also set up a system of fines and potential criminal penalties for violators.
Because it was the first ban of its kind, and included imported foods (notably from within the European Union single market), the move attracted opposition, though from an unexpected quarter: The European Union initially challenged the Danish law on the grounds that it would interfere with the free movement of goods within its borders, said Dr. Breda.
But Denmark turned what could have been a setback into an opportunity by assembling solid public health evidence, demonstrating the importance of eliminating trans fats to a broad audience of other nations. The European Commission eventually accepted the Danish argument that the measure was justified in the interest of public health, a move that gained global attention.
The move also set a precedent for other European Union-wide health-related legislation, and it increased voluntary compliance from businesses outside of Denmark.
More countries are promising to do it. And more countries are considering legislation and starting to implement trans fat restrictions as we speak," says Dr. Breda. "The fact that Denmark did it successfully really motivated other countries to go down the line the same way."
(1) Willett, Walter C., et al. "Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease among women." The Lancet 341.8845 (1993): 581-585.
(2) Stender, Steen, et al. "The influence of trans fatty acids on health: a report from the Danish Nutrition Council." Clinical science (London, England: 1979) 88.4 (1995): 375-392.
(3) Stender, S., and J. Dyerberg. "The importance of trans-fatty acids for health. Update 2001." Ugeskrift for laeger 163.17 (2001): 2349-2353.