A UN World Health Organisation (WHO) report reveals that 53 countries now have best practice policies to tackle industrial trans fats in food, benefiting 3.7 billion people, or 46% of the global population. This is a significant increase from 2018, when only 6% of people were protected.
But Tonga is not among those countries despite it’s high level of non communicable diseases and deaths reported which are linked to high consumption of trans fat food.
The Pacific countries from the Western Pacific Region, according to the WHO report, who are serious about the health of their populations having policy commitments include Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.
Philippines and Singapore are the two countries in the Western Pacific Region with the best-practice policies in effect.
“Trans fat elimination is attainable, affordable, and life-saving,” said Dr. Francesco Branca, WHO’s Director of Nutrition and Food Safety. Trans fats clog arteries and increase heart attack risk, contributing to over 278,000 deaths annually.
The advancements could save around 183,000 lives each year. However, progress is uneven, with the highest burden in Africa and the Western Pacific. The WHO report urges countries to adopt and enforce policies to eliminate trans fats globally.
In 2023, seven countries, including Egypt and Mexico, implemented new policies. WHO awarded five countries, such as Denmark and Thailand, for their progress. Ensuring compliance is critical to maximise health benefits, Dr. Branca said.
