magine a typical day in Pakistan—families preparing meals, school canteens serving snacks and street vendors offering quick bites on the go. There are industrially produced trans-fats (iTFAs) in many of these foods including margarine, biscuits, bakery products and fried snacks. While they might add a satisfying crunch or creaminess to our meals, the trans-fats are among the leading contributors to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Trans-fats are linked to more than 200,000 deaths caused by CVDs in Pakistan each year. The cost of trans-fat intake due to premature mortality from CVDs in Pakistan is estimated to be $459 million per annum.

In recognition of this danger, global health experts and the World Health Organisation have set strict limits on the use of iTFAs in food. These regulatory measures include, implementing a 2 percent limit on iTFAs of total fats in all foods. There is an urgent need for a legislative ban on the production and distribution of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary raw material used in the making of industrial trans-fats.

Many people might wonder why this ban on PHO is important. The answer is simple, our health and well-being are at risk. The PHOs are the largest source of iTFAs in the food supply. Processed foods, which are part of many everyday diets, often contain PHOs. These oils are known to increase the risk of heart disease by raising bad cholesterol levels and lowering good cholesterol levels.

This is particularly concerning in a country where dietary habits are rapidly changing and there has been a sharp spike in non-communicable diseases. In 2021, $2.6 billion was spent to treat diabetes alone. Research suggests that this economic burden will grow to $4.4 billion dollars by 2045.

Continuing to allow these harmful trans-fats in our food not only affects individual health but also burdens our healthcare system and economy. The transition to regulating industrial trans-fats and banning the use of PHOs may require time, resources and effort, but the long-term dividends in terms of public health, lower medical costs, economic gains and a stronger, healthier nation are worth it.

The transition to regulating industrial trans-fats and banning the use of PHOs may require time, resources and effort, but the long-term dividends in terms of public health, lower medical costs, economic gains and a stronger, healthier nation are worth it. 

The legislative journey to reform food safety standards is not an easy one, but it is a journey we must undertake with urgency and determination. There are many examples from which Pakistan can draw inspiration. Sixty-three countries across the globe, including some with similar socio-economic indicators have already adopted the international best practice of curbing iTFA. Some are not merely regulating industrial trans fats to less than 2 percent of the total fats in all foods but have completely banned the production and distribution of PHOs. We must understand the pressing need for policy changes that safeguard public health. These efforts should never be in isolation. Rather policymakers, health experts, civil society and concerned citizens must work together to advocate for better health policies. By adopting the best policy practice, we will be taking a clear and decisive step towards saving millions of lives.

With Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority leading the way, we are gearing our efforts to cover all foods with iTFA limits through food standards. However, it is challenging to regulate street foods and several source of iTFAs due to limited enforcement capacity of the provincial regulatory bodies. At the same time, the primary and the major source material used in the preparation of iTFAs, i.e., partially hydrogenated oils should also be banned across the country. This is necessary as food authorities have limited technical, financial and human resource capacity to enforce the iTFA standards. If the production and distribution of the primary raw material used in the production of iTFAs is banned altogether, this will significantly reduce the risk of industrial trans-fats entering our food supply.

The legislators must join hands in this crucial cause and push for a ban on PHOs. It is not merely a regulatory change—it is a commitment to the well-being of every Pakistani. It is about ensuring that the food we consume nourishes us and does not harm us. It is about taking proactive steps today so that the future generations are healthier and more vibrant.

The writer, a Member of the National Assembly, is the convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Rights. She is also the parliamentary secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology.