Dietary worries about "potential killer" trans-fat, obesity, bad nutrition hit the news.

TRACY BOWDEN: It's no secret that Australia, like many other developed countries, is in the midst of an obesity epidemic that's already estimated to cost more than $1 billion a year to treat. Amid all the talk of saturated fats and unsaturated fats, there's another type of fat most of us unknowingly consume every day. It's called partially hydrogenated oil, also known as trans fat.

It's used in fast and snack foods and if we believe health authorities around the world, it's a potential killer. Next year its likely Denmark and Canada will all but ban the use of trans fat, and in the United States labelling will be mandatory. Don't be surprised though if you've never heard of trans fat because in this country, food makers and restaurants don't have to tell you if you're eating it. This report from Mark Bannerman.

MARK BANNERMAN: They glisten, they entice and they taste good too. But satisfying as these goods may be, they contain something that you may not have bargained for. It's called partially hydrogenated oil, also known as trans fat.

MICHAEL JACOBSON, US CENTRE FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST: Trans fat, on a gram for gram basis, is the worst fat in our food supply.

DR ROSEMARY STANTON, NUTRITIONIST: Well, I think we should be worried about it because we don't know exactly how much of it is in the food supply, but we've got pretty strong suspicions that it's increasing......continues in full transcript.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia, 7.30 Report.



TV PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT
LOCATION: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1532155.htm
Broadcast: 15/12/2005
The effects of trans fat
Reporter: Mark Bannerman