A company marketing food product advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers?
- The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils.
- The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils.
- The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- Trans-fats are primarily formed during the partial hydrogenation of oils. So, if a product is advertised as free from trans-fats, it strongly implies that hydrogenated oils are not used.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- Animal fats (like butter or lard) can contain naturally occurring trans-fats, but in small amounts. However, the absence of trans-fats in a product does not automatically mean that no animal fats/oils are used.
Statement 3 is correct
- Trans-fats are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, a product free from trans-fats implies better cardiovascular health outcomes, assuming other dietary factors are also favourable.
