Life in Canada

Four years after Health Canada said it would impose strict limits on trans fats in food products if companies didn't reduce the fat content on their own, the department has failed to move on the promise, hinting challenges facing the industry could stymie their plans.

Tony Clement declared in 2007 while serving as health minister that food companies had two years to either meet specific targets for reducing trans fats in their products or face regulations in the absence of significant progress.

The government's trans fat monitoring program ended in December 2009 showing the majority of products in key categories - such as prepackaged baked goods - had failed to meet the targets.

After declaring last year that regulations were still on the table because further reductions were needed to fully meet the program's public-health objectives and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, Health Canada is now edging away from its threats of action.

When asked by Postmedia News if the government has opted against regulations, Health Canada said the department is working with industry to "clarify potential technical challenges that still remain in order to meet the reduction targets."

In a statement, Health Canada also said staff "will continue to analyze" the results of the final data set from December 2009 to understand why certain companies can't meet the targets, but the department is "very encouraged that in every food category analyzed, we have been successful examples of trans fats being reduced."

In Calgary, a ban on trans fat in restaurants was brought in as a bylaw under the Calgary Health Region in early 2008 and was enforced by health inspectors for a year.

It was dropped when the health regions were amalgamated into Alberta Health Services. A planned second phase would have limited trans fats in all foods sold in Calgary, including items in grocery stores.

At the time, many local eateries switched to trans fat free products and many continue to use them due to consumer demand for healthier choices.

"We like the product we're using right now," said Myrna Derowin, manager of Chicken on the Way in Kensington.

"You can still purchase the trans fat stuff, and it is a little cheaper, but we like what we're using and if someone asks, we can say it's trans fat free."

Alberta Health Services has banned trans fat from all food areas in its own facilities including hospitals and long-term-care facilities, but there are no plans to bring in an external policy said a spokesman.

Alberta Health and Wellness is also not considering any policies or legislation to limit trans fat in the province.

Kim Wagner Jones, a registered dietitian at the University of Calgary, said stronger government regulations either locally or federally would be a welcome help in reducing trans fat consumption.

'Time will tell' as it always does in Canada ..will it happen or not?