'Virtual human chain' seeks finalisation of TFA regulations

Civil society organisations urged the government for speedy finalisation of the Limiting Trans Fatty Acid in Food Products.

A virtual human chain titled "Limiting Trans Fatty Acid in Food Products Regulations 2021" was held on Monday in this regard, according to a press release.

The event was organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), National Heart Foundation, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and other civil society organisations, professionals and people from different ages and socioeconomic strata, taking the social networking site Facebook to stage their demand.

The netizens demonstrated the virtual human chain by showcasing their placards, festoons and posters on social media, the release read.

Taking part in the human chain, Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, professor at the department of Epidemiology and Research of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, said, "Trans-fat in food is a major cause of heart diseases. Hence, it is highly necessary to finalise the regulations on limiting trans-fat as soon as possible to reduce the risk of heart diseases."

ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA, said, "The sooner the regulations on limiting trans-fat are implemented, the sooner public health will be safeguarded from risks of heart diseases."

Industrially produced trans-fat is a toxic food element that causes increased risks of deaths from heart diseases. Globally, almost 500,000 people die due to trans-fat-induced heart diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the target to eliminate trans-fat from the global food supply by 2023. Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has prepared draft regulations for limiting trans fats in food products that is yet to be finalised.