Trans fatty acid content of confectioneries produced in 13 countries was determined by gas-liquid chromatography/silver-ion thin-layer chromatography.
This content was highest in products from the United States (27.1%), followed by Canada (22.3%), Switzerland (18.7%) and Belgium (15.0%). In the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, total trans fatty acid content of products ranged from 11% to 12% and 6% to 8% for Denmark, Finland and Germany. In products from Australia and Italy, the content was 3.5% and 3.1%, respectively, the latter being the lowest.
The C18 : 1 trans isomer was the major trans isomer in confectioneries, and C20 : 1 and C22 : 1 trans isomers were found in 7 brands.
Total trans fatty acid content of confectioneries was essentially the same as that in household margarines and confectioneries produced in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom. In confectioneries of Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands, the content was higher compared to household margarines produced in other countries.