Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/06/19
By: Chen Ching-fang and Lilian Wu
Taipei, June 19 (CNA) Margarine is widely considered unhealthy because it contains trans fatty acids,
A former “comfort woman” listens to Shinzo Abe address the US Congress, April 29 local time. (File photo/CNS)
but a serving of French fries can actually contain more trans fat than margarine, according to a nutritionist.
Of edible oils sold on the market, vegetable oil, vegetable shortening and margarine contained 1.47 percent, 2.44 percent and 0.48 percent trans fat, respectively, according to Lin Shih-hang (林世航) of National Taiwan University’s Institute of Food Science and Technology, citing a study by Shyu Shyi-liang (徐錫樑), a professor of food science at National Chiayi University.
The study found that vegetable shortening does not contain the highest level of trans fat, Lin said, noting that coffee creamer and shortening can have trans fat as high as 24.9 percent and 18.2 percent, respectively.
Lin’s remarks came as Taiwan decided that starting July 1, packaged foods must be clearly labeled if their trans fat level exceeds 0.3 percent for the reference of the consumers. [FULL STORY]