1 week Ago By NEWS WIRE
Islamabad - As Pakistan has achieved a significant public health milestone with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) passing a national standard that limits industrially produced trans-fats to less than 2 per cent of total fats across all food categories, the stakeholders have stressed the need for ensuring complete implementation of this legislation across the country for the safety of public health. According to them, the next critical step is to secure a national legislative ban on the production and distribution of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) — the primary and major source of industrially produced trans-fats. The passing this health standard aligns Pakistan with international best practices that limit the use of industrially produced trans fatty acids in the food supply chain.
Trans-fats are a harmful compound used in foods including fried foods, margarine, and commercial baked goods that increases the risk of heart attack and deaths. Every day, millions of people consume trans-fats in their diet without knowing it. Summit ends with groundbreaking announcements The approval of this new standard is the result of a collective effort between governmental and non-governmental organizations working in Pakistan, including the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, the federal and provincial food regulatory authorities, World Health Organization, Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), Heartfile, and other civil society organizations.
The journey towards this achievement gained momentum in June 2023, when regulatory standards to limit industrially produced trans-fats were introduced by the PSQCA for six major food categories available in the country. While a step forward, these regulations left gaps that allowed trans-fats to remain prevalent in various food products, including widely consumed street foods. Recognizing the need for comprehensive coverage, committed partners worked extensively with regulatory authorities, academia, parliamentarians, and other policymakers to ensure that the new standard applies across all food items and meets global best practices to protect public health.
This multi-sectoral engagement included policy dialogues, technical consultations, youth engagement, grassroots mobilization, and media sensitization to build momentum for robust regulatory action. Top diplomats, experts to attend CPEC Phase-II seminar It has been established with research-based evidence that industrially produced trans-fats are among the major contributors to cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and pose serious health risks to millions of Pakistanis. According to the stakeholders, with the introduction of this new standard, followed by its enforcement, Pakistan is now positioned itself to significantly reduce the economic cost due to trans-fats intake, leading to reduced disease burden, improving life expectancy and quality of life of its population.
By eliminating harmful trans fats from the food supply, Pakistan joins the growing list of countries adopting stringent measures to combat NCDs and promote healthier dietary habits. Tags: stakeholders implementing trans.
