2024-01-29 21:06:31
Nearly half of the world’s population now enjoys protection from the harm of trans fats through strict rules adopted in various countries, but the World Health Organization has urged countries that lag behind in this field to intensify their efforts.
The United Nations organization failed to achieve its goal of eliminating trans fats from foods by 2023 at the latest, while these substances cause 500,000 premature deaths every year.
It postponed the goal to 2025, but currently 53 countries, comprising 46% of the world’s population, are implementing good practices, compared to 11 countries and 6% in 2018 when the UN launched its campaign.
It is estimated that adopting these regulatory policies by everyone would save the lives of about 183,000 people annually.
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noted that “trans fatty acids do not have any known health benefits, but they carry enormous risks.”
“We are very pleased that several countries have introduced policies that ban or limit trans fatty acids in foods,” he added.
Bad cholesterol
The organization urged other countries to follow suit, calling for continued dialogue with companies involved in food production.
Trans fatty acids increase levels of harmful cholesterol (LDL), which causes clogged arteries, heart attacks, and leads to death from heart disease.
Most trans fatty acids come from partially hydrogenated, industrially produced vegetable oils, and are used in many baked goods, frying oils, fried foods, and solid fats, such as margarine or margarine, according to what the World Health Organization indicates on its website.
These oils are inexpensive and extend the shelf life of processed foods.
The World Health Organization recommends limiting industrial trans fatty acids to a level of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat in all foods, or imposing a mandatory ban at the national level on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils.
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