'Low-fat spreads can be more harmful than butter'

Many of the artificial margarines and spreads that have become popular with health-conscious consumers can contain higher levels of "dangerous" fats than butter, a study claimed yesterday.

Many of the artificial margarines and spreads that have become popular with health-conscious consumers can contain higher levels of "dangerous" fats than butter, a study claimed yesterday.

A survey of 100 spreads found that levels of "trans" fat, thought by experts to contribute to heart disease, exceed those of butter in 27 cases. It recommended that one brand should even carry a "health warning".

New product ranges such as butter blends also often contain high levels of saturated fats, and olive oil spreads mislead shoppers because they are made with only small quantities of olive oil, it was claimed.

The report, published by the Consumers' Association, found that Somerfield's own-brand Packet Margarine contained 21g of trans fat per 100g ­ about four times that of an average butter.

Government guidelines recommend a daily intake of trans fat of about 4g to 5g ­ considerably less than the 20g-30g recommended for saturated fats, which are linked to high cholesterol and heart disease.

A Consumers' Association spokesman said: "It is well known that the type of fat that we eat is important as well as the quantity so it is important to know what is in the spreads we are eating. The level of 21g of trans fat in the Somerfield product was shocking. One of our experts said it should come with a health warning. Along with other products, some spreads are not as healthy as they seem."

Somerfield, whose low-fat sunflower spread was recommended as one of the healthiest products, rejected the findings, saying the margarine was made for baking and was not a spread.

A spokeswoman said: "It is simply not comparing like with like. A baking spread is used in smaller quantities and as a result far less fat is consumed in the resulting produce. Our packet margarine complies with all the rules and we will be writing to the Consumers' Association to let them know our views."

Dr Wendy Doyle, of the British Dietetic Association, said trans fat "may have similar harmful effects to saturated fat. However, a level above 20 per cent in any product would be too high by any standards. Many products do not advertise the level of trans fat but a level of about 4 per cent or 5 per cent would be acceptable."

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Factor-15 brands sold by Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury, Safeway, Boots and Superdrug all performed to industry standards in tests but could be nearly 50 per cent cheaper than top brands.