GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Issues related to health.
Source: DTE
Context: Five billion people globally are exposed to harmful trans-fat, increasing their heart disease and death risk, according to a new report “Countdown to 2023” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The report monitors global progress towards the 2023 target for the global elimination of industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).
About TFA:
- TFAs are unsaturated fatty acids that are of two types –
- Naturally occurring trans-fat occurs in some dairy and meat products.
- Industrially produced trans-fat adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more soli It is found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils and spreads.
Key Findings from the report:
- Trans fat intake is accountable for up to 500,000 early deaths from coronary heart disease annually.
- Nine countries — Australia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea — of the 16 nations with the highest estimated percentage of coronary heart disease fatalities attributed to trans-fat consumption do not currently have best-practices strategy.
- Two best-practices policy options:
- Mandatory national limit of two grams of industrially produced trans-fat per 100 grams of total fat in all foods;
- Mandatory national ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils (a major source of trans fat) as an ingredient in all foods.
Harmful effects of TFA:
- TFAs pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats – they raise total cholesterol levels, and reduce the good cholesterol (HDL), which helps to protect one against heart disease.
- It is also associated with a higher risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infertility, and certain types of cancersand can also lead to compromised fetal development causing harm to the yet-to-be-born baby.
Steps taken to regulate TFA:
National:
- FSSAI launched a “Trans Fat-Free” logo for voluntary labelling to promote TFA-free products in shops for preparations containing TFA not exceeding 0.2 per 100 g/ml.
- Campaign “Heart Attack Rewind” to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fat in the food supply by the year 2022.
- FSSAI limits the content to not more than 2% by mass of total oils and fats from January 2022.
- Swasth Bharat Yatra, an initiative started under the “Eat Right” campaign is a Pan-India cyclothon to engage citizens on issues of food safety, combating food adulteration and healthy diets.
Global:
- TFA REPLACE strategy by WHO.
Insta Links:
Mains Link:
Q. What are Trans Fats? Discuss their impact on health and, measures taken by the government to decrease the consumption of trans fats. (250 words)
