WHO for eliminating industrially produced trans fats by 2023

Mains Paper 2 : Health & Education |

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Trans Fats

Mains level : Health issues over consumption of Trans Fats

Trans fat also called the worst form of fat in food, responsible for over 5,00,000 deaths globally from coronary heart disease each year.
It could be eliminated from the industrially produced global food supply by 2023 if the World Health Organization (WHO) has its way.
The WHO has partnered with the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) to achieve this target.

Regulatory action by WHO

The commitment made by the IFBA is in line with the WHO’s target to eliminate industrial trans fat from the global food supply by 2023.
Of particular note was the decision by IFBA members to ensure that the amount of industrial trans fat in their products does not exceed two grams per 100 grams fat/oil globally by 2023.

About Trans Fats

Trans fat, also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, is a type of unsaturated fat that occurs in small amounts in nature, but became widely produced industrially from vegetable fats starting in the 1950s.
It is used in margarine, snack food, packaged baked goods, and for frying fast food.
Since they are easy to use, inexpensive to produce and last a long time, and give foods a desirable taste and texture, they are still widely used despite their harmful effects being well-known.

Hydrogenation Process

Artificial Trans fats are created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid.
Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods.

Subscribe