Progga urges quick finalisation of trans fats limiting policy

Progga (Knowledge for Progress), an advocacy and research institute, has urged the government for quick finalisation and implementation of the draft "Trans Fatty Acid Control Regulations in Foods, 2021" to curb non-communicable disease.

The organisation made the call on the occasion of the World Hypertension Day to be observed on Monday (17 May), said a press release.

Trans fatty acids (TFA) or trans fat are an unsafe ingredient in foods that are harmful to health. Limiting toxic chemicals like trans fat in foods can be an important step in keeping the heart healthy and blood pressure under control, it added.

According to the latest published "Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18", in Bangladesh, one out of every four adults suffers from high blood pressure.  

ABM Zubair, executive director of Progga said, "Non-communicable diseases are taking a terrible shape in our country. Eliminating trans fat in food is undoubtedly a cost-effective measure for the government. On the one hand, it will reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases; on the other hand, it will help the government reduce health care costs."

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended limiting the maximum use of trans fats in food to two grams by 2023. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has been working for finalization of the draft policy that was formulated on limiting trans fat in foods.