The trans-octadecenoic fatty acid profile of beef: Implications for global food and nutrition security

• Individual t-18:1 isomers have distinct biological effects.
• Beef is a rich source of vaccenic acid which has potential human health benefits.
• Diet manipulation is the major factor that influences beef’s t-18:1 profile.
• Vaccenic acid-enriched beef may improve human health.
• Labelling of t-18:1 isomers in beef may enhance food and nutrition security.

In addition to being an important source of macro- and micronutrients, beef can also be a source of trans (t)-18:1 fatty acids (FA). Overall, trans-FA have been associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in humans. Recent research has, however, shown that t-18:1 FA are a group of distinct isomers which elicit differential biological effects. The current review examines the potential of different nutritional strategies to enrich potentially beneficial or deplete detrimental t-18:1 isomers in beef. The possible contribution of seemingly beneficial t-18:1 isomers to global food and nutrition security is highlighted. The review also describes the importance of developing a regulatory framework to govern the consumption of individual t-18:1 isomers to enhance and sustain their contribution to food and nutrition security.