By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Israeli food companies that export to the US and Europe will now be required to list trans fatty acids among the ingredients.
Trans fats are hydrogenated, solidified fats that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by forming fatty plaques in the blood vessels.
A special device was purchased by the Bactochem laboratory in Nes Ziona to test foods for the amount of trans fats they contain. Israeli law does not yet require the separate listing of trans fats on products sold here, but the Health Ministry has said it has plans to require this.