The government is seeking public opinion for making a law limiting the use of trans-fatty acid or trans-fat in food in order to safeguard public health.
The draft regulation titled, “Limiting Trans Fatty Acid in Food Products Regulations, 2021” has been uploaded on the website of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (http://www.bfsa.gov.bd).
Chairman of the Food Safety Authority Md. Abdul Kayowm Sarker chaired a stakeholder meeting in this regard on Monday. The draft regulation was presented by a member of the Food Safety Authority Monzur Morshed Ahmed.
“The maximum limit of trans fat in fats, oils, and foods has been set below 2% in the regulations to safeguard public health. It has been opened today for public consultation. We hope that we can finalize this draft within a very short time,” said the chairman.
The Head of the Technical Committee on Trans Fat and Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Morshed Ahmed said that the World Health Organization has called on all member countries to regulate trans-fat within 2023. We have formulated the regulations keeping that target in mind.
“We request all businessmen, industrial organizations, and consumers of the country to visit our website and provide their comments on the prepared regulations.”
Member of the Technical Committee on Trans Fat Prof Dr. Nazma Shaheen and Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Prof Dr. Abdul Alim participated in the discussion on the draft regulations.
The chair of the meeting Md. Rejaul Karim said that, “This draft regulation is a timely step by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority in order to safeguard people from trans fat or moreover, risks of heart diseases. I congratulate all concerned with promulgating this regulation.”
The prime source of trans-fat in food is partially hydrogenated oil or PHO, which is popularly known as dalda or bonospoti-ghee in Bangladesh.
It is most commonly used in bakery items, processed foods and deep fried snacks as well as in food preparation by hotels, restaurants and street food vendors.
Intake of excessive trans-fat is associated with increased risks of heart diseases, deaths from heart diseases, dementia, and cognitive impairment.
The 2020 report by WHO estimates that Bangladesh ranks among the 15 countries with the highest burden of TFA-induced deaths from heart diseases.
