Analytical Report - Sweet bakery products

Introduction

Some amount of fat is required in our diet, as a source of essential fatty acids, vitamins and energy. However we are advised to cut down on food that is high in saturated fat or trans fats or replacing these foods with ones that are high in unsaturated fat instead.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats can be beneficial in moderation, helping to lower total cholesterol and ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL - low density lipoprotein) and increase ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL - high density cholesterol). Saturated fats on the other hand raise total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. This can increase the risk of heart disease. The daily maximum recommended intake of saturated fat for an average woman is 20g and for an average man is 30g.

There has also been much concern about trans fat, a form of unsaturated fat that increases the bad cholesterol (LDL) but decreases the good cholesterol (HDL). Trans fats occur naturally at very low levels in beef, lamb and dairy products. There is no requirement in the UK to label the presence of trans fat, but the mention of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat in an ingredients list indicates that trans fat will be present.

Some countries have introduced legislation requiring food to be labelled if it contains trans fat. Denmark has set a maximum level of trans fat at 2g per 100g of fat/oil rising to 5g for processed foods. In the UK the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommends the average trans fat intake should not exceed 2% of food energy intake. The Food Standards Agency has used this figure to consider whether the amount of trans fat should be limited in foods in the UK. As many companies have voluntarily reduced or eliminated trans fat in foods, it is estimated that the intake is lower in the UK then the SACN recommendation. As a result no limit has been set. The Food Standards Agency is also consulting with the food industry and other interested parties to set target levels of fat and saturated fat. Reformulating products to reduce fat levels will facilitate the reduction of fat intake across the population.

Hampshire and Kent Joint Scientific Services conducted a sampling survey for clients checking fat levels in sweet bakery products. Most of these were prepacked at the bakery premises and are not required to provide labelling information. The consumer is therefore not aware of the types and levels of fat in the products.

161 samples were submitted by 10 trading standards authorities including 37 submitted by Kent. The cake type products included scones, buns, tarts, doughnuts, cookies and pastries.

 

Summary of results

Sweet bakery products are usually associated with high levels of sugar, salt and fat. The results confirm the assumption in regard to fat, although as application of the Food Standards Agency traffic light criteria shows that lower fat choices are available.

Saturated fat

Based on an average portion size of 125g, 71 samples would provide at least 50% of the guideline daily amount of saturated fat for a woman.  Four of the products if eaten would result in the recommended daily intake of saturated fat being exceeded.

Trans fat

Trans fats were detected in 89 samples.

86 were in the range 0.1 – 5.4g per 100g of fat
2 in the range 10/3- 11.8g per 100g of fat
and 1 at 31.g per 100g of fat.

Four samples would have failed the Danish legal limit for trans fat.

Traffic lights

For the Kent results alone (37 samples) if the products were marked using the Food Standards Agency voluntary front of pack signpost traffic light labelling, the indications would be:

15 samples would be marked as red for fat
The remaining 22 samples would be marked as amber for fat

21 samples would be marked as red for saturated fat
15 samples would be marked as amber for saturated fat
1 sample would be marked as green for saturated fat

Red = high - Eat occasionally, perhaps as a treat or in small amounts    
Amber = Medium - Okay most of the time
Green = Low  - The healthier option

 

Report dated December 2007