Authorities concerned are to formulate the ‘Limiting Trans Fatty Acids in Food Products Regulations, 2021’ to control the Trans Fatty Acid (trans-fat) in food products in order to safeguard public health.
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) had prepared the draft regulations to reduce the amount of trans-fat in food to 2% per 100 grams. The BFSA had also published the draft on its website for public opinion. There is an opportunity to give opinions on the regulations till May 5.
Md Rezaul Karim, a member of the BFSA, said that they are formulating the regulations to control the trans-fat in food. They will finalise the draft within a very short time. It will be sent to the Law Ministry for vetting. After that the regulations will be finalised, he added.
He said, ‘The Trans Fat Acid is not only produced in factories, it is also produced in some other ways. The same oil is used repeatedly in many hotels and restaurants. The repeated use of the same oil is another reason for Trans-Fat Acid. We are working to build a trans-fat free Bangladesh. The regulations will help us in this regard as the maximum limit of trans-fat in fats, oils, and foods has been set below 2% in the regulations.”
At present, in every 100 grams of oil, fat and food, the use of trans-fat is 9-10 grams, which is excessive and deadly to public health.
BFSA officials said that the main source of trans-fat is partially hydrogenated oil (PHO), also known as Dalda or Vanaspati ghee in Bangladesh. Excess trans-fat is being used to make all kinds of bakery products, including cakes, biscuits, processed foods such as fried baked goods, snacks and meals in restaurants and food shops. As a result of excessive intake of trans-fat, the rate of heart disease and death is increasing in the country.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has instructed its member countries, including Bangladesh, to reduce the level of trans-fat to 2% by 2023. As per the WHO, about 5.4 lakh deaths take place each year globally because of intake of Trans Fatty Acid. The WHO’s 2020 report estimates that Bangladesh ranks among the 15 countries with the highest burden of trans-fat-induced deaths.
Experts on public health and nutrition said that the regulations will bring a change in food processing because reducing the use of trans-fat requires a change during food processing stages. An expert said, “Heart hospitals in Singapore get good numbers of patients from Bangladesh because the number of heart attacks in Bangladesh is constantly increasing. We need to control it. The Limiting Trans Fatty Acids in Food Products Regulations, 2021 is a timely initiative which will reduce the death rate from heart attacks.”
ABM Zubair, executive director of Progga, congratulated the move of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority as with the implementation of the draft regulations, the BFSA will leap forward in ensuring food safety for the countrymen. “We have been campaigning for years to control the harmful trans-fat in food. Many youths are now habituated to this kind of food. The youths and others, who consume this kind of food, have to be protected from harmful impacts of trans-fat. Everyone has the right to a beautiful and healthy life,” he added.
According to the draft regulations, the sale, distribution, storage, production, processing and importation of any product having more than 2% trans-fat is strictly prohibited. Provision has been made to punish the person or organisation for violating the rules with a fine of Tk 3-6 lakh or imprisonment for 1-3 years or both.
