The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued its first annual global progress report on trans fat elimination, highlighting the widespread lack of regulations against trans fat in more than 110 countries. These regulatory gaps leave around five billion people susceptible to exposure to industrially produced trans fats through daily food consumption. This report compiles actions taken by various countries to ban industrially produced trans fat and offers recommendations for achieving the global elimination goal by 2023.
Key Recommendations
The report emphasizes certain key strategies to expedite the process of trans fat elimination globally. First, it recommends the development and implementation of mandatory Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA) limits. It also encourages countries to share their experiences and best practices in TFA elimination and advocates consideration of regional or intercountry networks to intensify efforts.
Furthermore, the report calls for renewed support and validation of commitment towards eliminating industrially produced TFA by 2023. Achieving this goal would represent the first elimination of a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases worldwide.
Health Impact of Trans-Fatty Acids
The consumption of trans-fatty acids (TFA) correlates with an increased risk of heart attack and death from heart disease. According to estimates, TFA intake is responsible for causing more than half a million deaths from coronary heart disease worldwide each year. Substituting industrially-produced TFA with healthier oils and fats can effectively reduce these risks without altering food taste or increasing costs for consumers.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of countries without trans fat regulations | More than 110 |
| People at risk due to lack of regulations | Around 5 billion |
| Casualties from coronary heart disease due to TFA | More than half a million yearly |
Background of the TFA Reduction Movement
In May 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) inaugurated the REPLACE action package designed to aid governments in eliminating industrially produced TFA from the global food supply by 2023. Prior to this, India, one of the most populous countries in the world, had taken steps to restrict TFA content. In 2011, the country set a TFA limit of 10% in all oils and fats, which was further reduced to 5% in 2015.
In keeping with its commitment to public health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India proposed in December 2018 to lower this limit further to 2% and completely do away with artificial TFA in the food supply by 2022, a year prior to the global target.
