Mansi Arora
North News
Chandigarh, September 12
Trans fats, initially introduced as a revolutionary alternative to butter and ghee and used to extend the shelf life of processed foods, are now identified as a significant cause of coronary heart disease, contributing to nearly 500,000 deaths globally each year, reported news outlet CNBC TV18 quoting Former NHA Head Dr. Bhushan.
In his article in the news outlet, Dr. Bhushan said that in India, where the incidence of heart disease is steadily increasing, the threat posed by trans fats cannot be overlooked. Despite progress through the implementation of regulations aimed at eliminating trans fats, a comprehensive approach is still required to completely eradicate them from the food supply.
Sharing the details, he further added that the consumption of products made with partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), such as vanaspati, street foods, and popular snacks like cakes, pastries, puffs, cookies, and chips, particularly affects low-income consumers, putting them at higher risk of heart disease.
“Achieving a trans-fat-free India necessitates a multi-faceted approach, including investment in monitoring and surveillance systems at both national and state levels. Strict enforcement of trans fat regulations, accompanied by penalties for businesses and manufacturers that fail to comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) standards, will be critical in reducing trans fats in the food supply,” Dr. Bhushan said.
Dr. Bhushan highlighted that the food industry must take proactive steps to replace harmful PHOs and reformulate products in line with FSSAI standards while minimizing any increase in saturated fats. Efforts to incentivize and support reformulation, particularly among smaller companies, can drive further progress. Many major global fats and oils suppliers and food manufacturers have already complied with similar regulations in other markets, demonstrating that eliminating trans fats is achievable.
