[Trans fatty acids in the Norwegian diet]

Intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids should be limited, as high intakes may increase the risk of coronary heart disease. There is no up-to-date information on intake of trans fatty acids in the Norwegian population.

Information on trans fatty acid content in foods in 2003 from a survey among Norwegian food manufacturers and importers, together with data from the Norwegian Food Composition data base, is used to estimate the content of trans fatty acids in food groups. Intake of trans fatty acids is calculated on the basis of food intake reported in a national dietary survey among adults in 1997.

Mean intake of trans fatty acids was 1.6 gram/person/day, corresponding to 0.6 percent of total energy intake. Trans fatty acids contributed with less than 1% of energy intake among 97 percent of the participants; differences in intake related to gender, age and length of education were small. Main contributors of trans fatty acids were dairy products 50%, meat products 18%, buns and cakes 8% and bread products 7%. Food groups containing partially hydrogenated fats contributed totally approximately 30%. For several food groups the content has been reduced since 2003.

The calculated intake of trans fatty acids among Norwegians in 2003 was lower than earlier estimates based on household consumption surveys in 2001, and at the same level as reported for Mediterranean countries in the 1990s. Mean intake is now in accordance with the recommendation from World Health Organization: intake should be limited to less than 1 % total energy intake. Our calculations imply that intake of trans fatty acids no longer represents a public health concern in Norway.