Thailand, Saudi Arabia among five countries recognised by WHO for trans fat elimination efforts

The target of the validation programme, named REPLACE, was to “fully eliminate iTFA from the global food supply” by the end of 2023. Although the goal was not met, there has been significant progress made in every region, according to WHO.  

Specifically, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Thailand have put into effect best-practices policies for iTFA elimination that are supported by rigorous monitoring and enforcement systems.

“Trans fat has no known health benefit, but huge health risks. We are very pleased that so many countries have introduced policies banning or limiting trans fat in food. But introducing a policy is one thing; implementing it is another. ​

“I congratulate Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, who are leading the world in monitoring and enforcing their trans fat policies. We urge other countries to follow their lead,” ​Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a statement.

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) occur in two forms — industrially produced and naturally occurring. Intake of TFA is associated with increased risk of heart attacks and death from cardiovascular disease.

A WHO report released in November 2023 wrote that the food industry has made good progress so far. It also encourages producers of raw materials and manufacturers of final food products to double down on eradicating iTFA.

To date, a total of 53 countries have best-practice policies in place for tackling iTFA in food, which “vastly improve” the food environment for 3.7bn people, or 46% of the world’s population, as compared to just 6% five years ago.

In 2023 alone, new best-practice policies became effective in seven countries, namely Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Philippines, and Ukraine.

WHO criteria for iTFA elimination best-practice policies include 1) mandatory national limit of 2g of iTFA per 100g of total fat in all foods; and 2) mandatory national ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils as an ingredient in all foods.

Despite recent successes, WHO said that over half of the world’s population remain unprotected from the harmful impact of iTFA.

“While countries should continue to strive for total elimination of iTFA, based on what has been achieved in the past five years, WHO has proposed a revised target to be reached by 2025.”​

The target includes best-practices policies passed in countries that account for at least 90% of the total global iTFA burden; and best-practices policies passed in countries that account for at least 70% of the total burden within regions.

The next application cycle for REPLACE will open in March 2024, and applications will be received on a continued basis.

Saudi playing a key role​

In 2017, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) launched a strategy focusing on improving the consumption patterns of its population and the nutritional value of food products.

In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Health Sector Transformation Program, the strategy included implementing policies to reduce salt, sugar and fat content in foodstuffs.

Since January 2020, the SFDA has successfully banned partially hydrogenated oils from the country’s food supply.

At the honouring ceremony held in Geneva on January 29, Dr Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of SFDA, said that Saudi Arabia looks to develop and execute an integrated system of policies and initiatives, with the aim of driving consumers to choose healthier food products by involving stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

This would not only contribute to improving public health, but also reducing disease burden caused by iTFA as well as enhancing the marketing of Saudi-made products internationally.

He added that SFDA’s laboratories are equipped to verify that food products are free from iTFA.

Due to Saudi Arabia’s efforts and performance in eliminating iTFA, Faisal Fahad Bin Sunaid, director of the Healthy Food Department at SFDA, has been appointed as the head of WHO’s Trans Fat Elimination Technical Advisory Group (TFATAG).

TFATAG is the principal advisory group to WHO that evaluates applications for the REPLACE validation programme, and makes recommendations for the granting of the certificate of recognition from the organisation.