Authorities urge action to limit trans-fats in food

Islamabad:On World Food Day, the Transform Pakistan campaign partners including Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation & Coordination, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), and Heartfile, urged the government to take immediate action to limit industrially produced trans fats to less than 2g per 100g of total fat in all food sources and completely eliminate partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), a major source of these harmful fats in our diet.

Trans fats are commonly found in margarine, baked goods, fried snacks, dairy products, and several other ultra-processed foods. While food manufacturers favour trans-fats for their ability to enhance texture, shelf life, and flavour stability, the health costs far outweigh these benefits. Industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs) have no known health benefits and significantly raise levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad’ cholesterol while lowering high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or ‘good’ cholesterol.