The WHO estimates that around 500,000 deaths per year are related to fatty acid metabolism known as trans-fat, most of which are cardiovascular diseases. And after many years of delay, WHO has finally released a detailed set of guidelines under the very good name of REPLACE for the purpose of helping member states to refer and follow to eliminate trans-fat out. food industry.
Trans-fat is a type of unsaturated fat, which is made by hydrogenating fatty acids contained in vegetable oils to convert liquid oils to solid ones with longer shelf life. and taste better. The main product of this process is margarine, which allows margarine to stay solid at room temperature like animal butter, while its price is cheaper. The term trans fat refers to an artificial fat, although it is also present in meat and dairy products but in very small amounts (when a hydrogenated reaction occurs in the intestine). of herbivores).
The use of trans-fat in the food industry is still very common in many countries, most of the fast foods are related to fried or fried crispy fries such as fried potato chips ... are used trans-fat The product has a longer shelf life than the use of tallow. However, according to a study by WHO, the fact that using natural fats still helps the products do not change the taste nor increase the cost of the product too much. That is why the WHO decided to launch a program of action calling on countries to use the steps in REPLACE to eliminate trans-fat from the food industry.
REPLACE includes six strategic actions:
REview. Review trans-fat sources in industry and find ways to devise appropriate policies to eliminate trans-fat.
Promote. Promote the replacement of trans fat by other forms of healthy fats and oils.
Legislative or enact regulatory actions. Enforcement of laws and regulatory measures to help eliminate trans-fat.
Assess and monitor. Evaluation and monitoring of trans fat intake in the food supply chain and trans-fat consumption in the community.
Create awareness of the negative health impact. Deliver trans-fat hazard warnings to raise awareness among policymakers, suppliers, manufacturers, and the community.
Enforce compliance. Compliance with regulatory requirements and policies related to the removal of trans-fat.
At the present time in some developed countries most of the industrialized trans fat is removed through legally imposed limits on the amount that can be contained in packaged foods. . Some governments have banned the use of partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fats produced industrially.
The lead for this movement was Denmark, the first country to introduce regulations to limit industrial trans-fat, which has significantly reduced cardiovascular deaths compared to OECD countries. other. In the United States New York City has also eliminated trans-fat for a decade, resulting in a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality.
The biggest obstacles for REPLACE will be in low- and middle-income countries, where control and awareness of trans-fat is limited, and that is where the WHO intends to provide support. and implement strong REPLACE. This is also set by WHO as the focus of its General Program of Work from 2019-2023. GPW13 will also be on the agenda of the 71 st World Health Assembly to be held in Geneva on 21-26 May 2018. Global trans-fat elimination is produced Industrialization could help achieve a portion of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal of reducing early non-communicable disease death to one third by 2030.