SINGAPORE — Four margarine and vegetable oil-based spreads sold in Singapore claiming to have “zero trans fat” actually do contain it.

The products — Flora Light 500g, Flora Original 500g, Sunny Meadow Spread with Canola Oil 500g and Sunny Meadow Spread with Olive Oil 500g — were found to have trans fat content despite the products’ labels claiming it had “zero trans fat”, although they were within the statutory limit.

The findings were part of a test commissioned by the Consumer Association of Singapore (Case) on 20 common household margarine and spreads sold in Singapore. While the trans fat levels in a majority of the samples were within the statutory limit of 2 per cent, trans fat contents were detected in four samples.

Under the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) rules — which are in line with international norms — food with less than 0.5 per cent of trans fat may be labelled “trans-fat free”. However, they cannot be labelled as having zero trans fat unless they actually have none.

The exact value should still be indicated on the food label and not be rounded down to zero, Case said in a press release on its findings on Friday (March 10).

The AVA has been notified and will be investigating the matter.

Separately, the consumer watchdog also found that test results for some samples showed a higher trans fat content than the declared values on the food label.

However, Case noted that upon clarification from the relevant manufacturers and/or importers, the difference between the declared values and its test results can attributed to variance due to sample handling and analytical methodology.

Case had commissioned the test last July to find out if the levels of trans fat in margarines and vegetable oil-based spreads sold here satisfy the limit allowed by the AVA.

Based on the Food Regulations administered by AVA, pre-packed edible fats and oils should not contain trans fatty acids at levels exceeding 2 per cent.

Case said that consumers are encouraged to take into consideration the trans fat content in the composition and/or ingredients that make up the spread by checking the food label when shopping.

Consumers are also encouraged to go for spreads with the Healthier Choice Symbol as administered by the Health Promotion Board.