Regional Consultation on Individual Right Advocacy and Role of Civil Society in Managing Hypertension and Cardio Vascular Diseases
through Industrial Trans-Fat Regulations
NGOs came together for industrial trans-fat elimination
Regional Consultation on Individual Right Advocacy and Role of Civil Society in Managing Hypertension and Cardio Vascular Diseases through Industrial Trans-Fat Regulations was organized here today by Generation Saviour Association and Global Health Advocacy Incubator, in which various Non-government Organisations from the region participated. On this occasion, factsheet for trans-fat elimination was also released.
The consultation was presided byDr Vineeta Gupta, Director, Cardio Vascular Health, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Washington. While speaking on this occasion Dr Gupta said, “Industrially produced trans-fat poses serious threats to health. Trans fat leads to more than 5 lakh deaths of people from cardiovascular disease, every year.” “With the advancement in science and technology newer forms of oils have emerged in the market. Vegetable oil is hydrogenated today to prepare Vanaspati that is rich in trans-fat. Consumers not being aware of their health harm use these oils as they are low priced”, she further added.
Adv Ranjit Singh, practicing advocate Supreme Court of India apprised about initiatives taken by government in this regard. He said, “FSSAI has through a regulation restricted the amount of trans fat to 5% by weight in all interesterified vegetable oil. Also, they have made labeling of edible oils, interesterified vegetable oil, edible fats, margarine, and fat spread compulsory. Going a step further FSSAI has made it mandatory for food packages that use fat, emulsions or margarine as ingredient shall declare the quantity of trans-fat and saturated fat content on their label.”
Dr Om Parkash Bera, Principal Consultant -India, Cardio Vascular Health, GHAI told that FSSAI has committed to reducing the industrially-produced trans-fat in Vanaspati, bakery shortenings and margarine to less than 2% in a phased manner by the year 2022, that would effectively bring the level of trans fats to zero levels in food in India.
Opinder Preet Kaur Gill, President, Generation Saviour Association stressing on the need of collective efforts from all segments of society said, “It is not the government’s duty alone to eliminate industrially produced trans-fat. Even non-government groups can play a cardinal role. They can spread awareness about the health risk of Vanaspati. Each one of us cancontributes to strengthening the legislation and ensuring its comprehensive enforcement. There is a need that all efforts are combined to bring down the usage of Vanaspati. We should also work in cooperation.”
The participants also took pledge to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate for industrial trans -fat elimination and also use their professional and academic knowledge for the elimination of industrial trans-fat.
