Experts urge Centre to remove trans-fatty acids by 2021

A Delhi-based voluntary group writes to FSSAi, highlights over 77,000 deaths attributed to trans fats consumption in India.

Consumer organisations and health experts have written to the Union Health Ministry asking it to advance the 2022 deadline for the elimination of trans-fatty acids in Indian food to 2021. Over 77,000 deaths annually are attributed to trans fats consumption in India.

“This is a major factor for spike in cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and type-II diabetes. AnThe earlier deadline would ensure a drastically reduce the incidence of heart diseases among the Indians,’’ said Consumer Voice, a Delhi-based voluntary organisation working in the area of consumer education. The group has also written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

As per the draft notifications of FSSAI, the elimit of trans-fats in the fats/oils shouldwill be not be more than 3% by weight on and from January 1, 2021 and not more than 2% by weight on and from January 1, 2022.

Ashim Sanyal, chief operating officer of Consumer Voice, whichthat works under “Jago Grahak Jago” programme of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said trans-fats in Indian food were are responsible for health risks like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type-II diabetes and obesityies.

“To safeguard health of consumers, trans-fat should be eliminated from Indian food as soon as possible. The momentum against trans-fats is gaining across the world. Therefore, we are demanding immediate notification by the FSSAI to make Indian food free from trans-fatty acids by 2021,” he said.

Globally, as per the Union Health Ministry’s records, trans-fat intake results in more than 500,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease every year. In India, more than 77,000 deaths annually are attributed to trans-fats consumption, which is the highest in the world.

Health experts have noted that TFA can be found both naturally and artificially in foods. While natural trans-fats, present in very small amounts in certain animal products and whole milk, are not considered harmful, but industrially-produced artificial trans-fats, which are manufactured by done through adding hydrogen to vegetable oil, lead to an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowering of good cholesterol (HDL). These trans-fats are largely found in vanaspati oil, margarine, bakery shortenings, and in baked and fried foods.

The organisation has also submitted an eight-point charter of demands to the Health Ministry to draw attention to the issue and take a decision urgently.

``These include immediate notification of The Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011 with amendment made for trans-fats limits and oils and an earliest notification of Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2019,’’ the group noted.

Experts have added that the Food Safety and Standards (Food Product and standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011 should include 2% limit on trans-fats for fats, oils and “all food products”. Also, the current regulation of 5% limit should be made measurable with regular surveillance tests while transparency should be ensured in the implementation process by making testing data (5%, 3% and 2% limit) at the national and state levels available in the public domain.

They have also demanded introduction of a new logo for trans-fat-free (2%) products and restriction on misleading “No Trans Fats” claim on packaged food products. ``There should also be strict monitoring of marketing methods and advertisements of packaged food items with all kinds of misleading claims,’’ noted the letter.

Food safety teams to check railway stations, bus stands

CHANDIGARH: Tightening the noose around food business operators (FBOs) trying to sneak substandard khoya into the state, the food safety officers have been directed to maintain a special vigil on railway stations, inter-state buses, trucks and cold stores.

Punjab food and drug administration commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said regular inspections have curtailed the production of substandard and spurious products to a large extent in the state, but the intent to earn quick profits can lure some FBOs to buy inferior quality raw material from neighbouring areas. So, to check the inflow of substandard food material, the food safety teams have been directed to work in consonance with the railway authorities who may inform them whenever there is any khoya or paneer in transit and also check the cold stores in their jurisdiction.

The checking of buses is also underway and there have been a couple of breakthroughs in the same in Ludhiana where khoya from Bikaner was being sneaked into the city via an interstate bus.

Besides, vehicles supplying milk to sweet shops and dairies early in the morning are also being checked. Ahead of Diwali, the ambit of food safety inspections has been increased, said Pannu adding that rural sweets outlets have also been brought under regular inspection.

Officials discuss food safety, adultration

Amritsar, October 25A meeting of the advisory committee on food safety was held under the chairmanship of ADC (General) Dr Himanshu Aggarwal here on Friday.

District Health Officer said Dr Charanjit Singh said several issues related to food safety and adulteration were discussed at the meeting.“At the meeting, it was suggested that proper awareness must be spread among food vendors regarding good manufacturing practices and harmful effects of chemicals like calcium carbide. It was also proposed that a joint inspection by officials of the mandi board and other departments must be carried to ensure food quality,” said the District Health Officer.

Officials said special focus should be on formalin use of fish and milk. All departments were requested to give information regarding adulteration and contribute towards the mission to stop adulteration in food.

The police were requested to provide protection when required. It was suggested that samples and inspection of mid-day meal should be conducted regularly to insure good and healthy food for kids.

This meeting was attended by police officers and officials from the Education Department, hotel and other associations, Agricultural Department and Food Technology Department.