SAfrica to limit trans fats as heart disease rises

(AP) -- South Africa's health department says it will draft regulations aimed at reducing the trans fats South Africans consume.

Health officials said in a statement Thursday that they are concerned about a rise in lifestyle illnesses such as heart disease and strokes as some South Africans grow wealthier. The new burden of disease hits a system already struggling to care for an estimated 5.5 million South Africans living with the virus that causes AIDS - the highest total of any country.

The health department said it was following the lead of New York and countries like Denmark and Canada in trying to limit trans fats in processed and prepared foods. It did not say what the South African regulations would say or when thy would take effect.

©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.