http://www.eas.eu/

May 30, 2011

EFSA gives positive opinion on blood cholesterols claim

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of mixtures of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and an increase in LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

The opinion stated that replacement of a mixture of SFAs with cis-MUFAs and/or cis-PUFAs in foods or diets on a gram per gram basis does reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations.

The EFSA panel stated that the following wording reflected the scientific evidence:

“Consumption of saturated fat increases blood cholesterol concentrations; consumption of mono and/or polyunsaturated fat in replacement of saturated fat has been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of (coronary) heart disease”

http://www.eas.eu/News_Item/715