WHO’s battle to eradicate trans fats by 2025

In a decisive move to combat a silent killer lurking in our food, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set an ambitious goal in 2018: to eliminate industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFA) from food. global food supply by 2023. five years, the WHO “Countdown to 2023” report highlights both remarkable progress and the urgent need for additional measures to completely eradicate this harmful compound.

Progress on several fronts

Since the 2018 call to action, countries around the world have responded vigorously. By 2023, best practice policies were in place in 53 countries, protecting 46% of the world’s population. These policies, which aim to limit TFA consumption to less than 2 grams per 100 grams of fat or to ban partially hydrogenated oils altogether, have played a crucial role in reducing TFA consumption and associated health risks.

Notable progress has been made in 2023 alone, with new policies taking effect in Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria, North Macedonia, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. These countries have joined the global fight against TFAs, ensuring healthier food options for millions of people. Looking ahead, best practice policies in Argentina, Paraguay and Sri Lanka are expected to come into force by 2025, potentially extending protection to 47% of the world’s population.

Industry engagement and support

The food industry has played a central role in this global health initiative. Large food companies have adhered to the TFA limits set by the WHO, demonstrating that replacing harmful TFAs with healthier alternatives is both feasible and effective. Cargill, a leading ingredient supplier, has committed to eliminating TFA from its entire product line by 2024, setting a powerful precedent for others in the industry.

WHO has supported these efforts with significant resources, including guidelines, technical assistance and capacity-building workshops. These efforts have enabled Member States to develop and implement effective TFA policies, furthering the momentum towards global elimination.

Challenges and way forward

Despite these achievements, the report makes it clear that the goal of completely eliminating TFAs has not yet been achieved. The revised target for 2025 is ambitious: good practice policies in countries cover 90 percent of the global TFA burden and 70 percent within each region. This revised target highlights the need for continued global cooperation and strict enforcement of existing policies.

WHO recommends that all countries adopt and implement best practice policies, with particular emphasis on regions heavily affected by TFA. Regional agencies are encouraged to adopt mandatory TFA elimination policies, and food manufacturers should voluntarily remove TFAs from all their product lines. These measures are essential to prevent the movement of products containing TFAs into unregulated markets.

Regional progress and remaining gaps

Progress varies considerably by region. In Africa, only Nigeria and South Africa have implemented best practice policies. The report highlights the need for action in countries like Algeria, Cameroon and Ghana to accelerate regional progress.

In the Americas, nine countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States, have implemented best practice policies, potentially preventing 91% of TFA-related deaths in the region. However, Central America and the Caribbean are lagging behind, with countries like Colombia and Venezuela needing urgent policy action.

The Eastern Mediterranean region saw six countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, adopt best practice policies, covering 40 percent of the regional TFA burden. Crucial progress depends on steps taken by Iran and Pakistan to achieve greater media coverage.

A healthier future

The WHO report highlights that although significant progress has been made, global elimination of TFAs is within reach. Continued commitment and coordinated efforts can ensure a world free from the deadly impact of TFAs, saving countless lives and improving public health globally. As the journey continues towards the revised 2025 target, the collaboration of governments, industries and international bodies remains crucial in this rescue mission.

FIRST PUBLISHED ON: Devdiscourse