Trans Fatty Acids Content in Whole-Day Diets Intended for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Gynaecological and Obstetric Wards: Findings from the Study under the “Mum’s Diet” Pilot Program in Poland

Abstract

Trans fatty acids (TFAs) have been proven to have an adverse effect on human health by interfering with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) synthesis. LC-PUFA n-3 are necessary for the development and maturation of the nervous system and retina during the prenatal period and infancy. TFAs are not synthesized de novo in the human body. Their presence in body fluids arises from the diet. The aim of our study was to determine the content of TFAs in individual meals and in a whole-day hospital diet intended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Samples were collected from six different hospitals in Poland which voluntarily applied to the “Mum’s Diet” Pilot Program. The content of fatty acids, including TFAs, was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The TFAs content in the whole-day hospital diets ranged from 3.86 to 8.37% of all fatty acids (% wt/wt). Food products served for elevenses and afternoon snacks contributed the highest amounts of TFAs. These mainly included dairy products containing TFAs of natural origins. The estimated average intake of TFAs with the hospital diet was 0.72 g/person/day (range: 0.34–1.16 g/person/day) and did not exceed the maximum level of 1% of dietary energy recommended by the World Health Organization.

Trans isomeric fatty acids in human milk and their role in infant health and development

“…Table 2 summarizes the total TFA values of various food groups based on recent measurements in Thailand ( 77 ), Egypt ( 78 ), Argentina ( 75 ), Spain ( 74 ), Jamaica ( 79 ) and Malaysia ( 80 ). Previous research has shown that both voluntary and regulatory measures to reduce iTFA content in foods have resulted in substantial reductions in global intakes of TFAs over the past two decades ( 61 , 81 , 82 ), including Canada ( 83 ) and the European Union (EU) countries ( 84 ). The estimated intake of TFAs in 2010 varied widely from 0.2 E% (Barbados) to 6.5 E% (Egypt) ( 82 ), while seven years later, intake was lower, ranging from 0.3 E% (China) to 4.2 E% (Iran).…”