The day’s theme for this year is “Sustainable Development - Enriched Nation: Bangladesh of Safe Food”.

Informing the public about the initiatives and efforts of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority is one of the goals of the day.

Also read: Trans fat: The fat that can kill you

Trans fat free food is one of the major determinants of safe food and the authorities concerned has currently undertaken an initiative to fix the maximum level for trans fat to 2% of the total fat in all fats, oils and food products.

Trans fatty acid (TFA) or trans fat is an element in food that lacks any nutritional benefits.

Also read: Bangladesh: Frame laws to limit trans fat in foods, say experts

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh ranks among the 15 countries with the highest deaths from trans fat induced heart diseases. The WHO report of 2020 has stated that owing to trans fat consumption, 5,776 people die from heart diseases each year in Bangladesh.

Trans fat in food primarily comes from Partially Hydrogenated Oil or PHO, which is better known as dalda or bonospoti ghee commonly used in preparing fried snacks, baked goods, as well as food preparation by restaurants and street food vendors in Bangladesh.

Also read: Avoid foods with trans fats and stay healthy: Experts

A recent study has found 92% of sampled PHOs of Dhaka to contain more than the WHO recommended threshold of 2% TFA. A staggering high concentration of TFA of maximum 20.9g per 100 grams has been detected in the sampled PHOs, which is more than 10 times the WHO-set threshold.

ABM Zubair, the Executive Director of research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), said that safe food is everyone’s right. Intake of trans fat-laden unsafe food raises risks of heart diseases.

Also read: WHO seeks Bangladesh’s urgent action to avoid deaths by trans fat intake

“We’ve learned that the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority is about to promulgate regulatory policies on trans fat. This policy needs to be finalised and implemented as soon as possible,” he said.

Written by: RI, Edited by: ZK