[ti:WHO Calls for Removal of Trans Fat in 2023]
[al:Health & Lifestyle]
[ar:VOA]
[dt:2023-01-31]
[by:www.voase.cn]
[00:00.00]The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a total ban on what it calls industrially produced trans fatty acids worldwide in 2023.
[00:15.64]The health organization said the artificially produced form of fat is responsible for half a million early deaths each year.
[00:25.52]Products containing trans fat are commonly found in baked goods and cooking oils.
[00:33.41]In 2020, the WHO said more than 58 countries have introduced laws to protect people from artificial trans fat.
[00:43.44]But, it said, more than 100 countries should remove them from their food supplies.
[00:50.24]The health agency reported that two-thirds of the deaths that it blames on trans fat happened in 15 countries. 
[01:00.30]Of these countries, Canada, Latvia, Slovenia, and the United States have set limits on or banned artificial trans fat.
[01:11.97]But many countries have yet to take action. 
[01:16.84]In Asia, the countries are Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Iran, and South Korea. Others include Ecuador, Mexico and Egypt.
[01:34.11]Tom Frieden is head of the public health organization Resolve to Save Lives.
[01:41.02]The organization is working with the WHO to remove artificial trans fat from the international food supply. 
[01:51.24]He said the total removal of trans fat from food could prevent up to 17 million deaths from heart-related disease by 2040.
[02:03.31]The American Heart Association is a non-profit group that supports heart health and research.
[02:10.58]It says there are two different kinds of trans fat
[02:14.79]Natural trans fat forms in the gut of some animals and foods made from these animals such as milk and meat products.
[02:25.71]Artificial trans fat, also called trans fatty acids, is created through an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oils.
[02:37.76]Food makers use this lower-cost oil so food will stay fresh longer.
[02:44.52]Trans fat can be found in foods such as donuts, cakes, cookies and deep-fried foods.
[02:53.03]Baked goods that sit on store shelves for many months but remain soft and moist usually contain trans fat. This is because the oil remains solid at room temperature.
[03:06.81]Frieden from Resolve to Save Lives said it is important to understand the difference between artificial trans fat and saturated fat. 
[03:18.20]He called trans fat "a toxic chemical" which should be completely removed from the food supply. 
[03:26.56]That is different from saturated fat, a common substance in many food groups, which "nobody is proposing to ban."
[03:36.47]Frieden said, "Think of artificial trans fat as the tobacco of nutrition. It has no values."
[03:46.17]In 2018, the WHO launched a step-by-step guide calling on governments around the world to remove artificial trans fat from the food supply. 
[03:58.35]The guide urges governments to replace trans fat with oils such as olive oil, creating public awareness of the harms of trans fat, and enforcing the anti-trans fat policies and laws.
[04:14.56]By the end of 2020, the health agency said new laws have protected more than 3.2 billion people from the substance.
[04:25.04]Most of the action came from wealthy countries and areas. 
[04:30.25]But several low- and lower-middle-income countries including Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Ukraine also followed WHO's best practices for artificial trans fat.
[04:45.00] India's policy covers more than 1 billion people. 
[04:49.64]And Nigeria is expected to join South Africa as the second African country to remove trans fats.
[04:58.42]Frieden noted 5 billion people are still at risk from trans fat. 
[05:05.41]He said governments can stop preventable deaths by enacting WHO's best-practice policies.
[05:13.80]"Policy wins in one country can help encourage other countries to take action," Frieden noted. 
[05:21.78]He added that countries like India and Bangladesh could be examples for all of South and Southeast Asia. 
[05:31.46]And Nigeria, along with South Africa, would become "a leader for Africa."
[05:38.74]I'm Jill Robbins.