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June 16, 2004

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The Fight Against Trans Fats

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Do you agree that the Federal Government should put a ban on selling trans fats in Canada?


Yes	441 / 91 %
No	32 / 6 %
Undecided	9 / 1 %
483 total votes
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[ Post a Comment About this Poll ]

No Subject Given [73] (IP: --.sympatico.ca)
by Anonymous on Friday December 12, 2003 09:57PM

They absolutely should be banned- like in Denmark! Keep up the good fight!!

Re: No Subject Given [89] (IP: --.dial.telus.net)
by E V Kennedy ve6kcg@telus.net on Sunday February 8, 2004 04:49PM

I am totally in favour of getting trans
fats out especially in baked goods.
labels are not good enough , most
shoppers do not take time to read labels.

No Subject Given [74] (IP: --.kwic.com)
by Anonymous on Monday December 15, 2003 03:20PM

I voted yes but this may be naive -- A realistic expectation is that all transfats and maybe a warning should be posted/ or on labels.

ban trans fats [75] (IP: --.nwconx.net)
by Ellen Davis edavis@tbaytel.net on Monday December 15, 2003 04:16PM

I would like to add my name to your list of Canadian Citizens who
do not think labelling laws for trans fat in our food is going far
enough. Just think of all the food that our children and young people
consume away from
our parental control, friends homes, school cafeterias, restaurants to
name just a few. I can read all the labels I want and educate my
children till I turn
blue in the face but if trans fats are still in our food chain than our
children will be the next generation to suffer from our misjudgement on
"the healthier alternative
saturated fats" Tell me how many homes are now consuming margarine,
baking with shortening in all consuming trans fats believing that they
are doing the best
for their family's health.
I realize that a total ban on trans fats will cause complications for
our international trade partners but I think Canadian's have to take a
stand. Trans fats are
killing our population as sure as terrorism, sars or mad cow disease. We
have a duty to protect our population from this danger. Please don't let
government
neglect decimate another generation by inaction.

Ellen Davis
Kakabeka Falls ON
P0T 1W0

Abnormal fats [76] (IP: --.bchsia.telus.net)
by Anonymous on Thursday January 8, 2004 05:06PM

I have been publicly warning about trans fats (and all processed oils) since 1966, and first called for a ban on hydrogenated fats in 1975. So I strongly agree that all products containing abnormal fatty acids should be removed from the market, not merely labelled as to trans fat content which can lead to further confusion if trans fats are lumped in with natural saturated fats and equated with respect to effects on health. I have a number of articles and copy items which I can send if you feel that they may be useful.

Thomas Anderson, Ph.D.
Summerland, B.C.

Bring the petition to Yarmouth, PLEASE [78] (IP: --.ns.aliant.net)
by Anonymous on Friday January 30, 2004 08:36PM

Bring the petition to Yarmouth, and I'll definitely sign it--for my nephew (Kentville) and father (Clementsvale). They are both recovering from cancer.

No Subject Given [79] (IP: 64.110.21.--)
by Tim Rhude timrhude74@msn.com on Saturday January 31, 2004 08:58AM

Health care is about being proactive not being reactive. We should be teaching our children to eat and be healthy. Physical activity is a must and good,natural and safe food is the only thing we should be consuming. Right now in Canada we do non of the above. Health care is failing because of the food an agricultre industries are controlled by multinationals,profit before the people.

Banning Of Commercial Hydrogenation [80] (IP: --.wlfdle.rnc.net.cable.rogers.com)
by Norma Penny normapenny@rogers.com on Friday February 6, 2004 08:57AM

I am in full support of this bill. I'm wondering why it's taken so long for something like this to come about. Consumers have a full time job trying to purchase food. Reading every box, carton, package, etc. takes time & energy but it is something that health conscious consumers have to do to avoid dangerous foods. But it is the unknown that is at issue here too; we really have no way of knowing if our restaurant foods contain trans fats. I hope this bill passes and we can eliminate commercial hydrogenation of foods. I am definately in support of this. I can not understand why the government has allowed this to go on for so long. Surely they know that by allowing trans fats in our foods they are adding to the cost of health care due to the many health issues that trans fats cause. Ditto with tobacco. They know it kills yet they continue to collect the revenue from the sale of it ... but that's another topic.

No Subject Given [81] (IP: --.acs-pitt.com)
by Anonymous on Friday February 6, 2004 03:02PM

I do a lot of research into health and nutrition and I try and keep my family eating well and healthy. This is very difficult because so many products use trans-fat, are genetically modified or are full of toxins. I find it very difficult to find items in our stores that are healthy. Banning trans-fats will open up the options.
Also, labelling is a joke, It will only show people that everything they eat has trans-fats. The consumer will shrug their shoulders and go on eating what they always eat. And the tax payer will pay the health bills in the end.

Our family supports you fully.

Guy Devine

Trans fats [82] (IP: --.dynamic.mts.net)
by Alan Einarson grayink@mts.net on Saturday February 7, 2004 10:01AM

Dear Pat, I applaud you for leading the charge to ban trans fats in Canadian foods. As a father and a health conscious citizen I am appalled by the lack of initiative that the Liberal government on this issue (and I have been a Liberal voter in the past five Federal elections)Simply labeling foods is not enough as the average person does not have the time to read every package that they pick up in a grocery store. I would challange Pierre Pettigrew to try to fill his grocery cart with foods that do not contain trans fats and he will quickly realize how prevalent they are in all of the foods we consume on a daily basis (from breakfast cereals to dried fruits!) Keep up the good work!

Trans fat : unacceptable [83] (IP: --.proxy.aol.com)
by Anonymous on Saturday February 7, 2004 10:30AM

Not unlilike our ancestors we are forced to carry a food supply with us as we go about with our lives .Is is tragic that in our modern society we cannot assume that we will find safe food along our itineracies.Safe food is more than aseptic food.The public policy makers have to implement the necessary changes to protect us as the scientific community provide solide evidences.

The market forces at play are to slow to provide canadians with the adequate level of protection and unfortunately driven by the U.S. manufacturers who respond to very different consumer needs and health care policies.
Bon appétit!

Trans fatty acids [84] (IP: 207.6.49.--)
by David Searle on Saturday February 7, 2004 01:36PM

Bravo, by successfully implementing this bill you could reduce medical expenses and give Canadians a better quality of life in their 50's and 60's and as nearly 50% of the population fall into this catagory the effects could be far reaching.
Thank you

Spreading the news [85] (IP: --.cpe.net.cable.roger)
by Steve Priddle stevepriddle@hotmail.com on Saturday February 7, 2004 04:21PM

I went to two grocery stores in a failed effort to find tortillas without trans fats. This is insane. Everyone in the know agrees on their deadly nature. There is no chance, of course, that the bill will go through, since it will have free trade implications and will prevent those with their heads in the sand from eating Oreos. However, several people at work asked the question "What does trans fat mean?" after reading an article about the proposed bill. Congratulations!

Transfatty oil [86] (IP: --.abhsia.telus.net)
by From Alberta on Saturday February 7, 2004 04:33PM

Transfatty oil is a poison to our bodies. I 100% agree, remove it. To create any arguments that we should leave the product as is and rely on labeling is absurd. I would guess there are many uninformed people or those that simply do not read labels. Oh and do not forget the many boneheads out there!! The public needs this level of protection.

trans-fatty acids [87] (IP: --.3web.net)
by Sally Manchurek m_sally6@hotmail.com on Sunday February 8, 2004 10:23AM

THANK YOU, PAT! I have been avoiding, as much as possible, foods containing this poison for some time now by reading labels - but it is a daunting task and very time consuming - but healthier than not reading labels! Don't know if you are aware, but some companies 'cover up' these 'transies' as I call them, within their labeling as vegetable oil or coconut oil or palm oil. I HEARTILY agree with you in your endeavour to engage ALL Canadians in becoming more aware of what they are ingesting. We are slowly becoming a more health-conscious people but feel trapped by BIG BROTHER(S)in trying our best to lead healthier lives. I thank you for being in a 'position of influence' to be able to voice the opinion of a wide number of concerned CANADIANS. I listened to your broadcast on QR77 in Calgary this morning (Feb 8). I now intend to write, e-mail or whatever, to support you in Parliament in this blessing of a motion. I sure hope the people of Winnipeg Central continue to support you! Sincerely, Sally Manchurek

trans fats [88] (IP: --.vc.shawcable.net)
by R. J. Dixon jackv7r3g3@shaw.ca on Sunday February 8, 2004 12:30PM

I have had one heart attack. I do not want another, thank you.

transfatty acids [90] (IP: --.cg.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Monday February 9, 2004 01:10AM

You are on the right path. Someone has to take a stand against all the poisons in our food. It is very difficult for busy folk to be constantly reading the labels of all foodstuffs. My husband has high cholesterol and we DO NOT eat foods with saturated fats or trans fats. In the first place people MUST realize that processed meats and many dairy products, also cocoanut and cocoanut oil etc. are a NO when it comes to avoiding cholesterol packed foods. Your talk on Sunday morning was most enlightening. Thank you for standing up for what is best for the people of Canada. PLEASE continue your good work for the health of all Canadian citizens.

Re: Fake fats vs natural fats [103] (IP: --.bchsia.telus.net)
by Thomas Anderson, Ph.D. healthsciences@telus.net on Monday March 22, 2004 03:11AM

It's important to understand that trans fats and saturated fats are completely different from one another and actually have opposite effects on health. The food industry's latest trick is to imply that both are "bad" and should be avoided. This is a very dangerous deception, given that the fats in fresh meats and dairy foods are important nutritionally, they LOWER the most significant risk factors for heart disease - including BP, Lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine - they raise protective HDL, and they reduce the risk for inflammatory related disorders such as asthma and arthritis.

The only fats we truly need to be worried about are the oils made into margarine and shortening and used for deep frying. These are ADDED fats, they are not part of any natural food, and they are the only fats ever linked to any disease.

Thomas Anderson, Ph.D.
Summerland, B.C.
[email protected]

No Subject Given [91] (IP: --.cg.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Monday February 9, 2004 01:13AM

Excellent work on the Trans-fat issue. Has made me really think about what I am buying/eating. Thank you Mr. Martin.

trans fats [92] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Tuesday February 10, 2004 09:22AM

Hurray, Pat, for having the conviction and the courage to propose this ban. We need more people like you who will stand up and do the right thing to make our world a better world. Thanks, Pat!

Lower the cost of Health care. [93] (IP: --.tor.istop.com)
by Anonymous on Wednesday February 11, 2004 10:16AM

This bill will result in healthier Canadians and lower the cost of health care in Canada. We need to find more ways such as this that will ultimately result in a reduction of government expense.

Educating the public on the dangers of trans fat is not enough. Most people are too busy or have too little interest to read contents labels.

Dave Ireton
Toronto Ont

ban trans fats now [94] (IP: 69.156.193.--)
by Anonymous on Wednesday February 11, 2004 11:22AM

Why is the Canadian government so pathetic when it comes to taking care of it's citizens....?

Europe has a long standing record of taking a hard line on protecting the public - through labellling, protection against genetically modified foods,etc.

Why can't we share the tough approach since we're supposed to mimic their governmental system.

Keep up the good work, push this...

unbelievable [95] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Friday February 13, 2004 05:27PM

I can't believe that their are some people whom have actually voted no in this pole. I have been studying the terrible effects of trans fat at the University of Winnipeg and the ONLY logical thing to do is to ban trans fat outright.

Using trans fat does reduce the cost of food production, but only minimally. The extra few cents that it will cost to buy trans fat free foods means absolutely nothing, especially if it means we will live longer, with fewer impaired years, and save millions on health care. Thanx Pat, its great to know that there actually are politicians fighting for the people whom elect them.

Trans Fats [96] (IP: --.dyn.aci.on.ca)
by Anonymous on Saturday February 14, 2004 11:50AM

I am a nutrtional consultant and advise people about healthy eating daily, however when I tell them to start reading labels and to try to avoid hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils they tell me that there is hardly anything on the grocery store shelves left to purchase. Many people cannot afford to shop in health food stores nor do they have time to bake their own cookies or snacks for their children. It is terrible that the government hasn't banned trans fats sooner. Keep up the fight!

Trans Fats [97] (IP: --.dial.mts.net)
by Leslie Gillies lgillies@mts.net on Sunday February 15, 2004 05:36PM

How can Health Canada defend their decision to allow Trans Fats in our people's food simply by labelling the food. How many 8 year olds are going to check their labels when they have a toonie in their hand at the snack counter? None.
This substance is not recognized as food by the human body and has been linked to health conditions that never existed before such as Type 2 Diabetes in children and until recently, unexplainable high cholesterol levels in adults who were exercising and thought they were eating healthy diets.
In locations where fresh food is difficult to obtain, such as First Nations communities, the only choice available to the people is food loaded with partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated fats (Trans Fats) because it has a long shelf life. It's no wonder there are so many chronic health problems in these areas.
If food producers are told to eliminate Trans Fats from their products, they will deal with it.
If food producers are not told to eliminate Trans Fats, our already over-burdened Health Care system will deal with it.

trans fats [98] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Tuesday February 17, 2004 03:01PM

I agree that we should have legislation limiting or banning the trans fats in packaged foods.However, this is only a bandaid solution to the problem. We as health consumers must take the time to go back to the basics of the Canada Food Guide, know our daily allowances for fats, what composes a satured, unsaturated and trans fat and take the time to read labels and ingredient listings. As educated consumers, we can then purchase the healthy items for our families and advocate as citizens to the government and food industries to promote change. We cannot expect the government to bail us out and solve all our problems. If masses of consumers no longer purchased the problematic foods, the profit drops would speak louder than any governmental regulation. We all need to contribute to health promotion, health prevention and educating our children, friends and colleagues to make Canada a healthier place to live (and eat!)

Ban Trans Fats [99] (IP: --.qc.sympatico.ca)
by Anonymous on Friday February 20, 2004 02:12PM

People need to understand that the Food Industry cares as much about our health as does the Tobacco Industry. As long as trans fat can legally be used to lengthen the shelf life of processed food products, and thereby improve the bottom line of food companies, it will continue to be used. This "heart unfriendly" "stealth fat" should be banned outright. Hats off to M.P. Pat Martin for leading the way!

trans fat [100] (IP: --.lv.lv.cox.net)
by Anonymous on Tuesday February 24, 2004 10:40AM

while bad, trans fat in food is just another health hazard not unlike smoking. labeling and education is the answer.

if you want to ban something, ban smoking. smoking can cause damage to people around you, trans fat only damages you.

lets fight a real fight! ban smoking

We deserve a healthy life. Ban transfat. [101] (IP: --.dsl.otton1.isp.cyberus.ca)
by Anonymous on Friday February 27, 2004 03:42PM

Most consumers are not educated about harmful ingredients in their foods. People think because a particular food is not considered "junk food" it must therefore be healthy. This is far from the truth. Transfat is in so many products these days, it'll surprise even the worst of skeptics. Foods that so many people considered healthy are far from it. Ban transfat. We deserve to live a healthy life.

transfats [102] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Thursday March 18, 2004 08:39PM

I would like to praise you for your efforts and genuine concern for Canadians and their health. It's inadequate to simply label foods containing trans fats. It isn't realistic to expect people to heed warnings on labels and such--just think tobacco. Products which are clearly harmful, such as trans fats, should be banned because our society as a whole tends to tolerate many detrimental products out of convenience. How many times have we all heard ourselves or others say, "I know I shouldn't but..." Many businesses count on that type of apathy for their success.

banning trans fats [104] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Tuesday March 30, 2004 01:04PM

What a great idea! I'm behind you 100%. If Denmark can do it, so can we.

Banning trans fats [105] (IP: --.nbtel.net)
by B. Ross, Moncton, NB on Friday April 2, 2004 10:01AM

I am in full support of banning the use of trans fats in this country. In my opinion, lablelling and education will not be enough to protect our population. There are too many loopholes in the new legislation about lablelling (such as no labelling required for restaurant food and food baked in grocery stores). Eating food with trans fats in it now feels like swallowing poison. We are about to make a family pledge to each get fifty more people to sign the petition.

*** Hydrogenated Fats - no place in food chain *** [106] (IP: --.ns.sympatico.ca)
by Dr.Marek Roland info@digital-recordings.com on Monday April 19, 2004 06:31PM

There is no place in food chain for
Hydrogenated Fats !!!

There should be a total ban on them
for use in food and animal feed.

We can save about $ 30,000,000,000
/year in Canadian Healthcare costs.

Please check my paper "Simple 'Food
Rules' for Great Health and Long Life"
at: http://www.digital-recordings.com

Best regards,
Marek Roland, Ph.D.

Trans fats [107] (IP: --.sasknet.sk.ca)
by Anonymous on Wednesday April 21, 2004 03:39PM

I agree that they should be banned. Labeling is a good start but if we want to get rid of the problem we have to go further. I think it would be wise to phase them out over a few year time period. Businesses would need time to replace them and that isn't a simple task. In order to have their products taste they way they want them to the must test new recipies and probably find suppliers for the new ingredients. Labels will always remain important and we need to make sure all the proper information is on them in an easy to understand format. If the trans fats are simply replaced with more sugar people will need to know about the sugar content via the label. Informing people about making healthy decisions must also go beyond labels. Posters in mediclinics and comercials on TV could be useful. Schools could also spend a little more time on the topic of health so young people grow up knowing what to eat and why. A couple week food program taught through high school much like drivers ed is currently taught could be helpful.

Trans Fats [108] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by Tim A. on Tuesday May 25, 2004 02:02PM

Trans Fats serve 3 main purposes:
1. To poison our food, and thereby poison US;
2. To make it taste better;
3. To increase corporate 'revenue'.

But I'm not sure if I got those in the right order...

No Subject Given [109] (IP: --.vc.shawcable.net)
by Anonymous on Sunday May 30, 2004 04:16PM

I tried to vote, but the voting pole woud not allow me, claiming that I or someone else already voted from this computer. I am sure that this is not the case given that I am the only person who uses this computer. I wounder if this has happened to many people?

Looking Forward [110] (IP: 63.90.114.--)
by Anonymous on Tuesday June 1, 2004 02:48PM

I hope while you are busy with this petition and your schedule to fight the trans/sat fat issue that you are already thinking of ways to teach the youth about this issue as well; such as better eating habits. Books, or a presentation is prepared by you to share with the schools. I know you are looking to ban it all together. However, engaging in both possibilities to fight this issue will prepare you for whatever outcome is decided, and then you are guarenteed a win/win situation.

Preventative health care [111] (IP: --.wp.shawcable.net)
by J.H. Olafsson on Saturday June 5, 2004 05:56PM

This legislation is long overdue. Many Canadians are concerned about health care but we need to be much more concerned about preventative health care. Go Pat!!!

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