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Africa

Africa: WHO Director-General’s Remarks At the Trans Fat Elimination Validation Ceremony – 29 January 2024

todayJanuary 30, 2024 1

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My brother, Dr Tom Frieden,

Excellencies, dear colleagues and friends,

Today, we celebrate the great progress we have made together towards our shared goal of eliminating trans fat from the global food supply.

Five years ago, WHO called on countries and the food sector to eliminate industrially-produced trans fat from the food supply. The response has been incredible.

So far, 53 countries have implemented best-practice policies including bans or limits on trans fat, with three more countries on the way. This removes a major health risk at least for 3.7 billion people, or 46% of the world’s population.

These policies are expected to save 183 000 lives every year.

Just five years ago, only 6% of the world’s population was protected from this toxic additive with similar policies.

The food sector has also stepped up. Members of the International Food and Beverage Alliance committed in 2019 to not exceeding two grams of trans fat per 100 grams of oils and fats in their products worldwide.

WHO’s independent evaluation found that they are making progress in meeting that commitment, showing that reformulation and replacement of harmful trans fat in food products is feasible.

I urge food producers everywhere to follow their lead, by implementing WHO recommendations for trans fat elimination.

Only if the food industry commits and complies, will it be possible to eliminate industrially-produced trans fat everywhere.