Coalitions seek FG actions on transfat foods dangers

The Trans-fat Free Nigeria campaign coalition has urged the Federal Government to act immediately and decisively to save Nigerians from the harmful effects of trans-fatty oils and foods in the country. They made the call during an advocacy visit to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to help uphold consumers rights to safe […]

The Trans-fat Free Nigeria campaign coalition has urged the Federal Government to act immediately and decisively to save Nigerians from the harmful effects of trans-fatty oils and foods in the country.

They made the call during an advocacy visit to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to help uphold consumers rights to safe and healthy foods and right to accurate information on food labels to make informed decisions and stay healthy.

The Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, stressed the need for FCCPC to follow up with the relevant bodies responsible on the draft regulation on Fats and Oils and the ‘Pre-Packaged Food, Water and Ice (Labelling) Regulations 2019,’ to ensure it is passed into law.

According to him, the FCCPC is a major stakeholder towards achieving a Trans-fat free Nigeria, hence the need for them to come on board and become a TFA champion.

Presenting a report, titled “Why it is important to regulate Transfatty Acids (TFA) in Nigeria”, the Project Adviser for TFA Elimination, Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), Dr. Jerome Mafeni, said that Trans fats have been linked to increases in the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancers, dementia and death.

He added that the new estimates by the World Health Organization, says that over 250,000 persons die yearly from complications associated with the consumption of foods high in trans fats.

“This statistic has led to the call for the global elimination of industrially produced trans-fat by 2023. Industrially produced Trans Fatty Acids (iTFAs) are unsaturated fats chemically manufactured via passage of hydrogen through oils for them to be used as solid fats.  Bacteria produce naturally occurring TFAs in the guts of animals (ruminants -cows, goats, sheep among others), but the vast majority of TFAs are produced industrially by hydrogenation.

“iTFAs have been a commercially very successful product, becoming very popular in the diet during the 20th century.  WHO analysed iTFAs’ health impact and found that iTFAs increase overall mortality, particularly cardiovascular mortality (Death due to heart and blood system-related conditions).

“Over half a million deaths per year are attributable to iTFA consumption. Therefore, WHO recommends that TFAs, both natural and industrial, do not exceed 1% of energy intake per day,” Mafeni said.

He said that iTFAs are common in baked goods, pre-packaged foods, and some cooking oils, and are a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) worldwide, estimated to contribute to over half a million deaths every year. iTFAs have no known health benefits and can readily and safely be replaced in foods without impacting their consistency and taste.

While installing the FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman Babatunde Irukera as the Trans-fat free Nigeria champion, the Nigeria In-Country Coordinator Cardiovascular Health Program, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Joy Amafah, charged the FCCPC to uphold the consumers right to healthy foods by ensuring that the TFA regulation is put in place.

She said, “we are positive you will continue to use your good office to promote and advance the objectives of the campaign towards eliminating or at least reducing the trans-fat contents in our food supplies to the minimum standards thereby protecting the health of the consumers.

“We are also hopeful that the campaign could leverage on the platform of this agency to look into any appearances of false claims on food products to misguide consumers who may be unaware of the underlying health impact of such claims.”

Responding, after the conferment as #TransfatfreeNigeria champion, the FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera, pledged to uphold the tenets of the Trans Fat free Nigeria Campaign towards achieving the elimination of trans fatty acids from foods of consumers in the interest of the wellbeing of the citizenry.

Irukera, represented by the FCCPC Executive Commissioner, Operations, Dr. Adamu Abdulahi, assured that the commission will do its best to provide the needed support to the campaign and collaborate with them on related areas pertaining to the mandate of the agency.

The TFA Coalition comprises Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED), among others.