Importantly, adverse effects are seen at very low intakes for example, 1 3 of total energy, or approximately 2 7 grams (20 60 calories) for a person consuming 2000 calories day.

The current evidence suggests that, compared with Western nations, the intake of trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils may be much higher in developing countries, typically because partially hydrogenated oils represent the cheapest (and often subsidized) choice of fat for cooking.

Thus, little justification can be made for the use of partially hydrogenated oils, compared with other natural oils or fats.

Given that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in nearly all countries, including developing nations, intensive efforts must be undertaken to greatly reduce or eliminate use of partially hydrogenated oils in both the developed and the developing world.