The World Health Organisation disclosed on Monday that nearly half of the world’s population is now covered by solid rules limiting trans fat in foods, urging lagging countries to catch up.
The WHO initially called for the elimination of industrially produced fatty acids in foods worldwide by 2023, citing evidence of causing 500,000 premature deaths annually. Despite the missed 2023 target, the goal was extended to 2025.
Currently, 53 countries, representing 46% of the global population, are implementing best practice policies on trans fat – a significant increase from 11 countries and 6% in 2018.
The WHO estimates that approximately 183,000 lives per year are being saved due to these efforts. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the lack of known health benefits and substantial health risks associated with trans fat.
He expressed satisfaction that numerous countries have introduced policies restricting or banning trans fat in food.
Seven countries, including Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, North Macedonia, the Philippines, and Ukraine, implemented best practice policies in 2023.
Trans fat, a solidified oil notorious for clogging arteries around the heart, is commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils, and spreads like margarine.
The elimination of trans fat involves adopting either a mandatory national limit or a ban on the production or use of partially-hydrogenated oils, a major source of trans fat.
WHO’s Monday ceremony witnessed the awarding of the organization’s first-ever certificates to Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand, recognizing progress in eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids.
Countries seeking certification must implement best practices and establish rigorous monitoring and enforcement systems. Certified countries must provide updated data every three years to maintain their status.
Tedros urged other nations to follow the lead of certified countries and emphasized the need for discussions to keep the food industry aligned.
Eliminating trans fats is considered economically, politically, and technically feasible, saving lives at minimal cost. Cardiovascular diseases, the leading global cause of death, could see a reduction through trans fat elimination.
Tom Frieden, President of Resolve to Save Lives, stresses the feasibility of removing this harmful compound and warns against countries without regulations becoming trans fat “dumping grounds.”
