TMCnet News
Letter: Bad advice at fault for heart disease deaths(Guardian (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Far more than salt reduction (Fall in salt consumption has helped cut deaths in UK, researchers claim, 15 April), a leading factor in the decline in deaths from heart disease is the reduction in the consumption of hydrogenated fat (transfats) over the past decade. Just a month ago this plastic-like fat was removed from the US's "generally recognised as safe" list, and the US government has recommended that the food industry phase it out completely. This has happened after a 75% decline in transfat intake over the past decade, but it is still estimated that the decision will prevent 100,000 premature deaths annually from heart disease. The decline in transfat consumption worldwide had nothing to do with the Food Standards Agency or other government bodies - it was due to relentless campaigning by citizens and a response from the food industry. In 1993 I launched a marketing campaign to support Whole Earth Superspread, the first transfat-free margarine. For the previous two decades people with high blood pressure had been advised to stop consuming butter and switch to margarine. The leading "heart healthy" margarine at the time contained 21% transfats; normal margarines were 30% or more transfats. Dietitians and margarine manufacturers complained to the Advertising Standards Agency, which blocked my advertising. They continued to recommend switching to margarine. This advice underpinned heart disease and stroke levels. There has never been an apology from the health authorities who encouraged doctors to promote a toxic food ingredient. The attempt in the British Medical Journal to draw some parallel between reduced heart disease and reduced salt intake obfuscates the real cause of reduced deaths, which arose from reduced transfat consumption, reduced cigarette use and better medical treatments. If we are really to understand how to deal with public health problems we have to begin by admitting our mistakes. Craig Sams (Founder of Whole Earth Foods), Hastings (c) 2014 Guardian Newspapers Limited. |