Foodstuff, Health, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Health Minister Guntis Belevics (Greens/Farmers) emphasized to government ministers that many food producers are already conscientious and these proposals will only made food products in Latvia better and of higher quality. ''We will save much money on the treatment of patients,'' the minister added.

According to the proposals, the maximum amount of trans-fats in food products cannot exceed two grams per 100 grams of the total amount of fat.

Meanwhile, in products where the total amount of fat is less than 20%, trans-fats cannot exceed four grams per 100 grams of the total amount of fat, but in products where the total amount of fat is less than three% – trans-fats cannot exceed 10 grams per 100 grams of the total amount of fat.

The new regulations will apply to food products produced in Latvia, as well as from other EU or third countries.

The new regulations are expected to come into force on January 1, 2016. However, there will be a transitions period until January 1, 2018.

The transition period will be given so not to cause financial losses to food producers and allow them to make the necessary changes in their food recipes so that the amount of trans-fats in their products are in accordance with the new regulations.