Recent survey revealed that despite the warning given by the federal government in 2007 to cut trans fats from processed and prepared foods within two years many food items still contain high levels of trans fat.

Trans fat increase the amount of "bad cholesterol" in the blood and reduces the amount of "good cholesterol" hence increasing the risk of cholesterol buildup in the arteries and heart attacks.

Earlier studies have shown that every two per cent of calories coming from trans-fat increase the risk of coronary artery disease increases by 23 per cent.

Health Canada's latest survey showed that treats like croissants, cookies, pies and microwave popcorn continue to contain high levels of trans fats. Data showed that packaged cookies contain six times the recommended limit of trans fats, and instant noodles containing 10 times the target.

Bill Jeffrey, national coordinator of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, and a member of the trans fat task force said: "We estimated nearly 2,700 premature deaths related to trans fats occur in Canada annually, though that toll was probably trimmed somewhat with some recent reductions in trans fats."