Finalization of TFA Regulations Urged

Urging for the speedy finalization of the "Limiting Trans Fatty Acid in Food Products Regulations 2021", a virtual human chain has been organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), National Heart Foundation, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and other civil society organizations, professionals and people from different ages and socioeconomic strata, taking the social networking site Facebook to stage their demand.

On Monday morning, the demanding netizens demonstrated the virtual human chain through showcasing their placards, festoons and posters on social media.

Industrially produced trans fat is a toxic food element that causes increased risks of deaths from heart diseases. Globally, almost 500,000 people die due to trans fat-induced heart diseases. The World Health Organization has set the target to eliminate trans fat from the global food supply by 2023. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has prepared draft regulations for limiting trans fats in food products that is yet to be finalized.

Taking part in the human chain, Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Professor at the Dept. of Epidemiology and Research of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, told that, “The prevalence of heart diseases in Bangladesh is increasing day by day. Trans fat in food is a major cause of heart diseases. Hence, it is highly necessary to finalize the regulations on limiting trans fat as soon as possible to reduce the risk of heart diseases.”

Executive Director of research and advocacy organization PROGGA ABM Zubair said, “The sooner the regulations on limiting trans fat is implemented, the sooner public health will be safeguarded from risks of heart diseases."