Avaliação de ácidos graxos trans em minibolos comercializados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro após a implementação da RDC 360

Abstract

In Brazil on December 23, 2003 the National Agency of Sanitary Surveillance - ANVISA has published the resolution number 360 (360 RDC). The purpose of this resolution was to repeal the laws related to nutrition labeling of packaged foods ready for consumption (DRC 39 and 40). The legislation of 2003 had the requirement on the labeling of food content of trans fatty acids, as well as specific characteristics of the information contained therein. Currently, epidemiological studies have be associated the consumption of trans fats to the risk of developing cardiovascular and chronic degenerative diseases. In addition, health professionals report that the children have shown high rates of obesity, a situation directly related to excessive consumption of manufactured products. In order to ensure the maintenance and promotion of health, the accuracy of food labels sold in Brazil, mainly in relation to lipid content present in them should be more effectively monitor. This work aimed to make a critical analysis of the nutritional labeling of ‘minibolos’ sold in the city of Rio de Janeiro, relating lipid profile and content of trans fatty acids and their claim presented. The methodology used for derivatization of fatty acids is characterized by the extraction transesterification. It consists of an acidic or basic catalysis, where there is a double exchange of glycerides of esters of fatty acids. The method described by Huang (2006) for methylation of fatty acids was subjected to the validation process to ensure the accuracy of the results. The determination and quantification of fatty acids were performed by gas chromatography (GC-FID) using fused silica capillary column CP-Sil 88 (100 mx 0.25 mm), at the Analytical Laboratory of Food and Beverage - LAAB. We analyzed the products containing the information to be free of trans fatty acids to quantify the actual levels of these products in order to ascertain whether the labels were described in reliable information. From the results, the obligation to inform in the labels quantities of trans fatty acids was sufficient to make available to brazilian consumers which foods are free of trans fatty acids and which still have trans fatty acids in the food industry. There were no trans fatty acids in the composition of the samples, what means that is a real assertion to be exempt from the same type of fatty acid.