Trans-fat presence in processed food: Govt urged to develop framework

FAISALABAD: Experts at a policy dialogue have urged the government to develop a framework regarding limiting less than 2 percent trans-fat presence in the processed food. It is alarming that in Pakistan, the food is contaminated up to 20 percent of trans-fat that is causing serious health hazards in the society.

They addressed the policy dialogue entitled limiting trans-fat in food supply chain: Policy options arranged by the Pak Korea Nutrition center at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that unhealthy and contaminated food were playing havoc with the lives of the people for which we have to take the extra measures to curtail this trend.

He said trans-fats is consistently contributing to the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases especially the heart diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, stroke and diabetes. He called for creating the awareness among the people about the healthy food habits and ensures the quality food for the public.

Dean Food Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that increasing health budget was a matter of grave concern for the country, for which we have to raise the awareness among the society about the healthy food and activities. He said that policy intervention in the trans-fat issue would help combat the issue.

Munawar Hussain from Global Health Advocacy Incubator called for regulation to cover all food trans-fat limits not more than 2 percent and in this regards, PCQCA and National Standard Committee and others should expedite their efforts.

DG NIFSAT Dr Imran Pasha said that countries that developed strong regulations to limit trans-fat have witnessed a substantial decrease in cardiovascular and other diseases. Almost half of the world’s population is currently covered with the mandatory TFA limits. In the Asia region, several countries including India and Bangladesh have also passed regulations to limit the trans-fat.

Sana Ullah Ghumman, Prof Dr Hooria Aamir, Prof Dr Asif Kamran, Dr Saba Amjad, Ms Areeba Shahid, Dr Ayesha Sameen, Dr Qasim Raza, and Dr Allah Rakha, Maryam Jalal and other notables also spoke on the occasion.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024