RAJSHAHI, June 11, 2024 (BSS) - Excessive rate of trans-fatty acid in food has been posing a serious threat to the public health creating grave concern among the health experts in the country.
 
Overrated trans-fat is triggering the prevalence of heart diseases and various other non-communicable diseases along with the overall fatality risk in Bangladesh.
 
Safe food must be ensured by controlling trans-fat levels in food to protect public health.
 
The government has passed the "Controlling Trans-Fatty Acid in Foodstuffs Regulation 2021" to curb the use of trans-fats in food. However, not much progress has been noticed in terms of its implementation.
 
Comprehensive implementation of the regulations is required to reduce the risk of trans-fat-induced heart diseases.
 
Government officials and health experts came up with the observation while taking part in discussions of a webinar titled "Implementation of Trans Fatty Acid Control Regulations: Progress and Way Forward" today.
 
PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) organized the meeting supported by Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) to mark the World Food Safety Day 2024.
 
Main theme of the day this year is "Food safety: prepare for the unexpected".
 
According to the WHO report on Global Trans-fat Elimination 2022, 43 countries including neighboring India have implemented best-practice policies for tackling trans-fat in food.
 
In his remarks, Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Dr Mohammad Mostafa said there are various stages involved in implementing the trans-fatty acid regulation.

"We are moving forward step by step and we are optimistic about commencing the full-fledged implementation of the regulation soon," he added
 
Taking part in discussions, Deputy Director of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution Enamul Hoque said they have some technical limitations in terms of implementing the regulation. However, they are actively working to overcome these.
 
BFSA's Founder Chairman Mustak Hassan Iftekhar, GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Ruhul Quddus, Head of Department of Epidemiology and Research of National Heart Foundation Professor Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of Nutrition at the Department of Diet and Nutrition of BIRDEM General Hospital Shamsun Naher Nahid, Vice President of Consumers Association of Bangladesh, Nazer Hossain and PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair also spoke.
 
PROGGA's Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova moderated the discussion.