The European Parliament is debating later tonight a resolution on trans fats, or partially hydrogenated oils as they are commonly known, used widely by the food industry as a cheap ingredient in the production process in order to prolong shelf life and give food its desired consistency.

The resolution, which GUE/NGL supports, calls on legal limits on the use of trans fats in food, as studies have shown that their consumption has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, infertility, Alzheimer's disease, obesity and some types of cancer.

GUE/NGL MEP Lynn Boylan has deplored the Commission’s resistance to a legislative solution to regulate the use of trans fats to protect the health of European citizens:

“The Commission has still not come forward with legislative proposals to tackle these dangerous fats in spite of the clear evidence of the health risks they pose, especially for heart disease.”

“Not only was there a full year's delay in coming forward with the legally required study into the different policy options for trans fats but they also then failed to make the proposals which they themselves acknowledged would be the most effective for public health.”

“It is now well overdue that the Commission comes forward with legal mandatory limits as the best option for minimising trans fats in food which have already been so successful in Denmark.”