Published: 11th Jan, 2021
In a latest development, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has slashed the amount of trans fatty acids allowed in oils and fats to 3 percent from 5 percent.
Context
In a latest development, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has slashed the amount of trans fatty acids allowed in oils and fats to 3 percent from 5 percent.
About
What are Trans Fatty Acids?
- According to the World Health Organisation, trans fat, or trans-fatty acids, are unsaturated fatty acids that come from either natural or industrial sources.
- Naturally occurring trans fat comes from cows and sheep
- Industrially produced trans fat are formed in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil, converting the liquid into a solid, resulting in ‘partially hydrogenated oil’.
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Major foods containing trans fat
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Why trans fat are harmful?
- Hard to metabolise: Trans fats have a specific chemical structure, that our body finds hard to metabolize.
- No role: Also trans fats have no physiological role to play in our body.
- Inflammation: Those who eat more trans fats have higher levels of C-reactive protein (a biomarker for inflammation in the body).
- Poor memory: Further, trans fat consumption is linked with poor memory and higher risk for dementia too.
- Increase bad cholesterol & decrease good cholesterol: Trans fats increase ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduce ‘good’ HDL cholesterol, and can trigger diabetes, immune dysfunction and obesity among other things.
- The WHO estimates that every year, trans fat leads to more than 5,00,000 deaths worldwide, mostly from cardiovascular diseases. Hence, eliminating trans fats is crucial.
India’s commitment to eliminate trans fat (industrial)
- India is committed to the elimination of industrial trans fats in fats/oils, and in foods containing fats/oils in a phased manner.
- Now, the trans fat content in fats and oils has been reduced to 3 percent.
- Further reduction to 2% by 2022 is under process.
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“Trans Fat Free” logo
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