It is understandable that wars and others capture emotion and attention and focus urgent calls for the adoption of measures worldwide. However, there is another less obvious health challenge caused by man against which countries fight more and more. The impulse for industrialists, a chemical responsible for more than 278,000 deaths every year throughout the world, is a clear example of the way in governmental commitment and action are managing to promote health and save lives.
Fats trans Industrially produced they are a silent murderer present in everyday products, often in baked food, snacks and margarine. These are formed when liquid vegetable oils are processed industrially in semi -solid forms in order to improve texture, taste and conservation time of products. Fats trans They do not have known health benefits and do cause, on the other hand, numerous demonstrated damages. Even in small quantities, they can increase the risk of ischemic heart disease. However, with specific measures, it is possible to significantly reduce fats transor even eliminate them, from the supply of food, thus providing dozens of millions of people around the world the hope of a healthier future.
In 2018, WHO was proud to launch one, supported by its member states, to eliminate fats trans of the offer of processed foods. Two years later, he initiated one to recognize the success of the countries in said and the impulse is paying off.
Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand were the first to be distinguished by their role in the elimination of fats trans. Now, four more nations, Austria, Norway, Oman and Singapore, join that group. This means that more than 170 million people live in nine countries that have obtained WHO certification for their measures for the elimination of fats trans In food production.
Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand were the first to be distinguished by their role in the elimination of fats trans. Now, four more nations, Austria, Norway, Oman and Singapore, join that group
Austria was one of the first countries to introduce limits to fat content trans In food, following the example of in 2009. Since then, it has significantly reduced fat levels trans Throughout the supply of food and, during routine inspections, most products meet the established limits today.
Norway was also one of the first countries to embrace this initiative, and since 2014 it imposes limits in the use of fats trans In food. The observation of food intake has revealed a constant decrease in consumption over time. Fats trans They have systematically represented less than 1 % of the caloric intake, thus complying with the threshold recommended by the WHO.
In 2022, it joined other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council to prohibit the production, import and marketing of partially hydrogenated oils and related food products. This decisive step was in line with the widest objective of Oman to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, as described in its National Nutrition Strategy 2020-2030.
It has been working on the elimination of fats trans Since 2013 and has imposed a limit to all fats and oils sold retail or supplied to feeding services and establishments. Later, Singapore prohibited the use of partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient in fats, oils and pre -deed foods and has also collaborated with the main food companies to reformulate their products so that they do not contain these oils.
It is encouraging to confirm that food producers themselves are supporting this initiative. The members have pledged to eliminate fats trans of its products. Although progress has been made, efforts remain varied and reflect a broader and more ongoing change within the food industry with the aim of creating healthier food options and contributing to the world’s fight against fats trans.
When the WHO first advocated the global elimination of fats for the first time trans Industrially produced, only 11 countries, which concentrated 6 % of the world’s population, had best practices for the elimination of fats trans.
Since then, the figure has increased to almost 60, including the nine nations certified by WHO, which represents 46 % of the world’s population. In 2019, it also established a legal limit of no more than two grams of fats trans For every 100 grams of oil or fat used in food. These standards apply to all European economic space countries. We await with interest the recognition by the WHO of these countries, and of all others, such as countries that are eliminating fats trans of its supply of manufactured food.
An essential component of the success of the fight against fats trans It is the implementation of national systems to monitor and enforce the policies aimed at eliminating from the supply of food this deadly threat.
While many countries have taken measures, continuous monitoring and compliance are essential to guarantee the effectiveness of policies when eliminating fats trans
As Austria, Norwegian, Oman and Singapore have demonstrated, when a strong commitment goes hand in hand with rolling measures based on evidence, a great change is possible. But while many countries have taken measures, continuous monitoring and compliance are essential to guarantee the efficacy of policies when eliminating fats trans.
Let’s take advantage of this impulse and protect more people from this lethal product. We call all governments to join this increasingly numerous movement and commit to forge a future without fat transin which preventable deaths are avoided and the entire population can benefit from more harmless and healthy foods. A world that is more safe from fats trans artificial is within our reach.
