European Margarine Makers Continue To Cut Trans Fat Levels In Their Products

The organization that represents margarine manufacturers in Europe says it has strengthened its Code of Practice for the third time in 18 years, limiting unhealthy trans fatty acid content in business-to-business (B2B) and retail margarines and vegetable fat spreads to two percent. Margarines used as ingredients in food products (B2B) cut their average trans fat levels by 76 percent from 2004 to 2012, from 7.1 percent to 1.7 percent. This level is actually below the level of butter, which can go up to six percent trans fat content. IMACE said its members comply with the code voluntarily.