Trans Fats in India: A public health crisis demanding urgent action

It was a busy night in a popular street food stall in Old Delhi. Anup, a 45-year-old businessman, sat down eagerly to crunch into his favourite samosa, oblivious to the quiet killer lurking within, the trans fats of the oil used for deep-frying. Anup, along with millions of Indians, savoured deep-fried dishes like samosas, kachoris, bhaturas, and jalebis without knowing that they were increasing his risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Understanding trans fats and how they harm the body

Trans fats are man-made fats added to fried and processed food, including margarine, packaged foods, cakes and pastries, and street food. They raise bad cholesterol (LDL), lower good cholesterol (HDL), and greatly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 540,000 deaths per year across the globe result from consuming trans fats. Taking cognisance of this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) set a 2% industrial trans fat limit on all edible oils and fats from January 2022. Even though the policy aligns with global best practices, loopholes in implementation and weak enforcement continue to jeopardise public health.

Challenges in eliminating trans fats

Despite strict laws, there are numerous challenges in removing trans fats from India's food supply chain. Lack of testing labs makes it difficult to monitor trans fat levels, particularly in rural areas. The unregulated street food sector, which reuses oils, aggravates the situation. Consumer awareness is weak, with most individuals not even aware of food labels and the health hazards of trans fats. Small eateries and neighbourhood cafes struggle to comply because of a lack of resources, while the consumption of hydrogenated fats in edible oils remains widespread.

Learning from the global community

Some countries around the globe have effectively implemented strict regulations on trans fats, and lessons can be drawn for India. New York City's 2006 trans fat ban in restaurants led to a quantifiable reduction in cases of heart disease. Partly hydrogenated oils were prohibited in Canada in 2018 because of strict health laws. The European Union achieved a common standard by simplifying trade restrictions and ensuring all member countries adhered to it.

Periodic checking and rigorous enforcement on violators with severe penalties must be done by India for effective trans fat elimination. Large-scale food manufacturers must be subjected to mandatory testing, along with restaurants that meet trans fat requirements must be licensed and certified. Spending on additional testing facilities through an increase in additional labs and quicker testing kits must be the priority in increasing compliance, as well as checking.

Mass producers of food require sophisticated analytical chemistry labs with Gas Chromatography (GC) to quantify trans fat levels. Various FSSAI-approved and NABL-accredited laboratories in India provide trans fat testing facilities.

Food industry's reaction to the trans fat ban

While some companies have made changes to their products ahead of time to meet the new regulations, others have been concerned about the cost of the transition and a lack of understanding. In March 2022, FSSAI issued a permissive guidance document allowing the labeling of products with 'Trans Fat-Free' when such products carry a maximum of 0.2 grams per 100 grams of trans fat. Despite this, challenges such as the lack of adequate inspectors and the lack of uniformly organised retail industry sectors make it challenging to enforce such a position.

Technology in trans fat detection

Handheld equipment helps vendors and regulators monitor the quality of oil in a helpful way. These devices test Total Polar Materials (TPM), which increase with worsening oils. With the use of these tools, restaurants and street vendors can meet trans fat regulations and ensure the integrity of their cooking appliances.

Fostering compliance incentives

It is necessary to encourage industry compliance and customer education. Food must be marked as 'Trans Fat-Free' on the packaging. Companies that are converting to healthier products must be given tax relief and subsidies by the government. Indirect financial incentives can encourage compliance, as shown by the EU, Canada, and Denmark. Firms can reach greater regulated markets with improved trade opportunities and consumer confidence by removing trans fats from their foods. In India, implementing the same incentives would make food manufacturers shift towards healthier alternatives intentionally.

A call for action

While India has succeeded in curbing trans fat, stricter regulation, awareness among the people, and industry support are still required for its complete elimination. Making informed food choices is yet another responsibility consumers need to undertake. India can have a trans-fat-free future by drawing lessons from global success stories, ensuring that each meal we consume brings healing, not harm.

 Dr Monika Kochar, Advisor Health, DAKSHIN- Global South Centre of Excellence, New Delhi.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.

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