31 January 2007, 19:25 PM
  • British Retail Consortium members have voluntarily committed to remove trans-fats from their own-branded products before the end of the year.

The decision follows efforts by the EU to tackle health problems by removing the man-made fats and is the latest in a series of similar moves by the BRC including clearer product labelling and the development of balanced ranges.

Trans-fats occur naturally in some foods, but are also added to items such as bakery and dairy products as a result of processes to extend shelf life and improve texture. Andrew Opie, BRC food policy director, comments, “With the Commission’s laudable objectives on healthy food and free trade in conflict, the UK Government risks being embarrassed by its own legislative impotence. But, by acting voluntarily, BRC members are showing responsible retailers can cut through to achieve major change faster than any legislation.

“This is the latest in a string of healthy food initiatives and shows BRC members, responding to customer concerns, are willingly delivering a scale and pace of change way beyond anything retailers or manufacturers are doing anywhere else in Europe.”