UAE to ban all trans fat by 2023

MANUFACTURERS ORDERED TO REPLACE IT WITH HEALTHY FAT AND OILS

The UAE will ban trans fat, which increases bad cholesterol, by 2023, according to an official report. The plan has been mentioned in a report by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which was submitted to the Federal National Council recently.

The report said the UAE’s ban would be in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) strategic plan for 2019–2023 that aims to take out industrially-produced trans fat from the global food supply.

Hamad Al Rahoumi, a member of the House from Dubai, had demanded that the UAE speed up compliance with WHO policies on trans fat as soon as possible.

Trans fat is considered to be the worst type of fat as it raises “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and lowers “good cholesterol” (HDL). Most trans fat is formed through a process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil, which causes the oil to become solid at room temperature.

The ministry’s report came in response to FNC questions about the government move to eliminate trans-fat-rich margarine and vegetable ghee. A diet heavy in trans fat increases one’s risk of heart disease, which is a leading cause of death.

By 2023, the UAE will ban trans fat that increases bad cholesterol, lowers good cholesterol, promotes clotting, and damages blood vessels, according an official report. The move is in keeping with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) strategic plan for 2019—2023 which aims to eliminate industrially-produced trans fat from the global food supply, said a report made by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which was recently submitted to the Federal National Council.

The report, which was presented in response to members of the House’s questions about the government’s action to eliminate margarine and vegetable ghee (clarified butter), said that trans fat is considered to be the worst type of fat one can eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fat — also called trans fatty acids — raises one’s low density lipoprotein (LDL) “bad cholesterol” and lowers high density lipoprotein (HDL) “good cholesterol”.

Hamad Al Rahoumi, a member of the House from Dubai, demanded that the UAE fasttrack and enforce compliance of WHO policies and regulations on trans fat as early as possible, considering their serious impact on health.

Strict controls

Dr Thani Bin Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change, said the ministry is working with its partners to implement Federal Law No. 10 of 2015 on Food Safety and its executive regulations, which includes strict controls and standards to ensure food safety throughout the food chain. The law aims to establish systems to monitor and inspect food at facilities and entry ports, creating a national food accreditation and registration system, establishing of a rapid food and feed alert system throughout the food chain, developing mechanisms for the exchange of information at the national and global levels, as well as raising community awareness of best food practices.

A diet laden with trans fat increases one’s risk of heart disease, the leading killer of men and women. Last year, WHO released REPLACE, a step-by-step guide for elimination of industrially-produced trans fatty acids from the global food supply.

Eliminating trans fat is key to protecting health and saving lives: WHO estimates that every year, trans fat intake leads to more than 500,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease.

Industrially-produced trans fats are contained in hardened vegetable fats, such as margarine and ghee, and are often present in snack food, baked foods, and fried foods. Manufacturers often use them as they have a longer shelf life than other fats. But healthier alternatives can be used without affecting the taste or cost of food.