Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA)

Why in news?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report titled “Countdown to 2023 – WHO report on global trans-fat elimination”.

About Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA):

• Trans fatty acids (TFAs) or Trans fats are the most harmful type of fats which can have much more adverse effects on a human body than any other dietary constituent.
• These fats are largely produced artificially but a small amount also occurs naturally.
• Thus in our diet, these may be present as Artificial TFAs and/ or Natural TFAs.
  • Artificial TFAs are formed when hydrogen is made to react with the oil to produce fats resembling pure ghee/butter.
• In our diet the major sources of artificial TFAs are the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO)/vanaspati/ margarine while the natural TFAs are present in meats and dairy products, though in small amounts.

Usage:

• TFA containing oils can be preserved longer, they give the food the desired shape and texture and can easily substitute ‘Pure ghee’.
• These are comparatively far lower in cost and thus add to profit/saving.

Harmful effects:

• As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 5.4 lakh deaths take place each year globally because of intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids.
• TFAs pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats.
• While saturated fats raise total cholesterol levels, TFAs not only raise total cholesterol levels but also reduce the good cholesterol (HDL), which helps to protect us against heart disease.
• It is also associated with a higher risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infertility, certain types of cancers and can also lead to compromised fetal development causing harm to the yet to be born baby.
• Metabolic syndrome includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. The syndrome increases a person's risk of heart attack and stroke.

National efforts to reduce their intake:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022 from the current permissible limit of 5% through an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations 2011.
• FSSAI launched a “Trans Fat Free” logo for voluntary labelling to promote TFA-free products. The label can be used by bakeries, local food outlets and shops for preparations containing TFA not exceeding 0.2 per 100 g/ml.
• FSSAI launched a new mass media campaign “Heart Attack Rewind” to eliminate industrially produced trans fat in the food supply by the year 2022.

Global efforts:

• WHO launched a REPLACE campaign in 2018 for global-level elimination of trans-fats in industrially produced edible oils by 2023.
• Mandatory TFA policies are currently in effect in 57 countries

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding trans-fatty acids (TFA)?

1. Natural trans-fatty acids are present in meats and dairy products

2. Trans-fatty acids pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer