Fast food chains in Australia have cut down on the use of unhealthy trans fats amid threats of regulation, and have agreed to reduce saturated fats following pressure from health groups.
Major chains including McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Pizza Hut were given six months to reduce levels of trans fats — which raise "bad"cholesterol and reduce "good"cholesterol — after a Federal Government review in March.
Yesterday industry groups met the parliamentary secretary for health, Brett Mason, to detail their trans fat "action plans".
While Senator Mason said he was "excited"by the fast food chains' efforts, he urged them to reduce saturated fats — which are currently being consumed by Australians at levels 30 per cent higher than World Health Organisation recommendations.
"It is important when we reduce artificial trans fatty acids in our food supply that we … also focus on reducing the equally unhealthy saturated fats such as palm oil, tallow or lard,"said Senator Mason.
