‘Trans fat control regulations need to be finalised to address risk of heart disease’
Bangladesh is one of 15 countries with the highest risk of dying of heart disease due to consumption of trans fats
Recently there has been a high trend of heart attacks among young people in Bangladesh. Eating trans fats is one of the leading causes of heart disease. According to the World Health Organization, Bangladesh is one of 15 countries with the highest risk of dying from heart disease due to high consumption of trans fats.
On the occasion of World Heart Day on Wednesday, speakers at a Tuesday webinar, "Trans fat related heart disease risks and actions in Bangladesh", made the above observations. The webinar was organised by Progga (Knowledge for Progress) and National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, with the support of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
If trans fat control regulations are not finalised immediately, the risk of trans fat heart disease will continue to increase at an alarming rate, they warned.
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The webinar also informed that trans fats are harmful food ingredients that increase the risk of heart disease and premature death. Dalda or ghee and various other fast food and bakery products made from them contain trans fats. According to a study, 1 out of every 5 young people in Bangladesh is at risk of heart disease. The World Health Organization has set a goal of eliminating trans fats from the world's food supply chain by 2023 to reduce the risk of heart disease and premature death from heart disease worldwide. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority has also drafted the "Trans Fatty Acid Control Regulations on Food, 2021", awaiting finalisation at the end of the required vetting.
Dr Sohail Reza Chowdhury, professor of Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, said, "Eliminating trans fats in food will play an important role in preventing non-communicable diseases. We hope the government will finalise the regulations as soon as possible. "
Mohammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), said, "Failure to eradicate trans fats from the diet will increase the risk of trans fats in the country, increase medical costs, and hurt us economically."
The MD of Progga, ABM Zubayer, said, "Young people eat more trans fat foods. If trans fats are not eliminated from food, the younger generation will be at serious health risk."
