British govt considers ban on trans-fats

The British government is considering banning an artificial fat found in junk food to help combat a surge in heart disease and obesity.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has ordered a review into the food industry's use of trans-fats, found in ice-cream, pizza, chocolate and some breakfast cereals.

"We know we must act," Johnson told the Sunday Times newspaper.

"We can't afford not to act.

"For the first time, we are clear about the magnitude of the problem, we are facing a potential crisis on the scale of climate change and it is in everybody's interest to turn things around."

The government's review will also consider whether to extend a current ban on the advertising of junk food during children's TV shows.

Many food manufacturers use trans-fats because they were up to 85 per cent cheaper than natural fats, such as butter, lard and palm oil.

But medical researchers believe trans-fats are toxic.

Research shows that 60 per cent of adults and 30 per cent of children in Britain were overweight.

New York authorities last year banned the use of trans-fats in restaurants and ordered food manufacturers to list their use on labels.

- AAP