The World Health Organization (WHO) awarded the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Singapore validation certificates for their exemplary efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their food supplies.
These countries have implemented best-practice policies alongside effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to promote public health, said the WHO in its press release.
Presenting certificates during the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases.”
“Trans fats are a major contributor to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health. These countries are not only protecting the health of their populations, but also setting an exemplary standard for other countries to follow,” added WHO chief.
This recognition marks another significant milestone in the global effort to eliminate trans fats, reflecting not only policy commitments but also the concrete actions being taken to remove trans-fat from the food supply.
Trans fat clogs arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease – responsible for over 278 000 deaths each year globally. Trans fat, or trans-fatty acids (TFA), are unsaturated fatty acids that come from either artificial (industrial) or natural sources.
Industrially produced trans fats are often found in many baked goods such as biscuits, pies and fried foods, as well as margarine, vegetable shortening, Vanaspati ghee, among many others. Both industrially produced and naturally occurring trans fats are equally harmful.
Seven years ago, WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fats. At that time, only 11 countries covering 6% of the global population had best-practice trans-fat elimination policies in effect. Today, nearly 60 countries have best-practice policies in effect, covering 46% of the global population.
WHO remains committed to supporting countries in their efforts and to recognizing their achievements, it said.
Meanwhile, WHO member states approved a resolution that calls for the adoption of an historic global compact to make the world safer from future pandemics.
Monday’s approval of the Pandemic Agreement resolution follows a more than three-year process, launched by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, to negotiate the world’s first such accord to address the gaps and inequities in preventing, preparing for and responding to pandemics.
