Dairy trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: Implications for public health nutrition in South Africa

total trans fatty acid (tfA) intake is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. A critical review of recent studies suggests that different trans fatty acids (tfAs) may have different effects and that at present there is inconclusive evidence to specifically link dairy tfAs in amounts typically consumed to cardiovascular disease. from a public health nutrition perspective it is argued that in the current south African food and nutrition scenario dietary guidelines and legislation should focus on reducing intake of industrial tfAs (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils), for five inter-related reasons: (i) dairy tfAs probably constitute a minority of total tfA intake. (ii) International experience has shown that changing food composition is an easier, short-term intervention than changing food choices. (iii) malnutrition in south Africa includes underand over-nutrition, often in the same household. (iv) dairy foods and their components have mixed health effects. (v) A consistent nutrition message is needed for the nation.