The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has undertaken a significant initiative to eradicate industrially produced trans fats from the food supply. This initiative, entitled “Heart Attack Rewind,” is a 30-second public service announcement (PSA), a first of its kind, designed to ignite public consciousness about the health risks associated with consumption of trans fats. The ultimate goal is to eliminate trans fats in India by 2022, surpassing the global target set by the World Health Organization (WHO) by a year.
“Heart Attack Rewind” Campaign and Its Predecessor “Eat Right”
The “Heart Attack Rewind” PSA succeeds the initial drive “Eat Right,” launched in July 2018. The edible oil industry pledged as part of this campaign to reduce levels of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat content by 2% by 2022. The companion project to this initiative, Swasth Bharat Yatra, initiated an all-India cycling tour meant to engage public conversation on issues relating to food safety, combating food adulteration, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Challenges and Industry Concerns Towards Trans Fat Elimination by 2022
However, the goal of removing trans fats by 2022 isn’t without its challenges. The FSSAI lacks data on whether the industries complied with their earlier established limit of trans fats standards (5%) in 2017. Furthermore, the process of verifying whether the industry adhered to this regulation through product testing is still ongoing. Adding to this, the industry is arguing for the continuation of this 5% limit for another five years, citing lower consumption of trans fats in India compared to worldwide consumption and no clear evidence that reducing trans fats has led to decreased cardiovascular diseases. If asked to eliminate trans fats, the industry fears it may have to turn to saturated fats, which can also be harmful to health.
| Fact | Data |
|---|---|
| Global target year for elimination of trans fat | 2023 |
| India’s target year for elimination of trans fat | 2022 |
| First country to remove trans fat from food | Denmark (2003) |
| Countries that have followed suit | Chile, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Equador, Austria, Hungary, Latvia |
The Journey Towards a Trans Fat Free Future
There is a substantial body of evidence suggesting trans fats reduce beneficial cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein) and increase harmful cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein). Studies globally indicate a decrease in cardiovascular disease risks following reduced intake of trans fat. India isn’t alone in this; numerous countries like Denmark, Chile, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Equador, Austria, Hungary, and Latvia have taken steps to remove trans fats from food. For these reasons, it is crucial for industries to not only comply with set regulations but also to actively promote healthier alternatives.
