Consider the following statements regarding trans fat:

1. Trans fat, or trans-fatty acids (TFA), are a type of fatty acid that fall under the category of saturated fats and are commonly found in processed foods.

2. Trans fat is only produced artificially by the partial hydrogenation of liquid oils and has no natural sources.

3. WHO recommends that adults limit trans fat consumption to less than 1% of total energy intake.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• Trans fat is not a saturated fatty acid but rather an unsaturated fatty acid. Since the statement incorrectly categorizes trans fat as saturated fat. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Trans fat is produced both artificially and naturally. Industrially produced trans fat comes from partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), while naturally occurring trans fat is present in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
• WHO recommends limiting trans fat intake to less than 1% of total energy intake, which is around 2.2 grams per day for a 2,000-calorie diet. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Additional Information

• Industrially produced trans fat is found in margarine, Vanaspati ghee, processed foods, and fried items, while naturally occurring trans fat is found in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals.
• Health risks: Trans fat increases the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, and has no known health benefits.
• WHO's REPLACE action plan aims to eliminate industrially produced trans fat globally by enforcing mandatory national limits and banning partially hydrogenated oils.