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81% use some form of trans fats at home; even doctors not aware: Survey
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Monday, 02 November, 2020, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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A survey conducted by CAG across a cross section of edible oil users - including consumers, doctors, edible oil industry representatives, bakery owners, restaurant owners - has revealed that 80 per cent of consumers are not aware of the harmful effects of artificial trans fats and 81 per cent use some form of trans fats such as vanaspathi, margarine or fat spread at home. The survey also showed that some doctors were not aware of the connection between artificial trans fats and heart health.
Artificial trans fats are known to raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or the ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood and increase the risk of coronary artery heart disease and stroke. Diets high in trans fats increase heart disease risk by 21 per cent and deaths by 28 per cent. Studies reveal that intake of trans fat results in more than 500,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease, annually. In India, that number is pegged at about 60,000 deaths.
From the consumers’ point of view, clearly understanding the ingredient list or food label is key. According to the survey findings, only 1 out of 10 consumers read food/nutrition labels even though at least 2 out of 10 consumers understand the importance of reading labels and are aware of trans fats regulations. This emphasises the need for accurate and legible information on labels and the requirement to highlight presence of potentially harmful ingredients like trans fats, salt and sugar so that it catches consumers’ attention and they are able to make informed choices.
In 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced that it will reduce trans fats to 2 per cent by 2022, from the current limit of 5 per cent. CAG has been working with the State Food Authority in strengthening implementation of FSSAI’s trans fats regulations in Tamil Nadu.
India has a large informal food sector and hence it is important to engage with key stakeholders at the district level such as the edible oil industry, Food Processing Associations (bakeries, restaurants), other Food Business Operators. The study found that 33 per cent of edible oil companies were still working towards ensuring compliance to reduce trans fats in oils/fats. As far as labelling is concerned, 40 per cent mention only the presence and not the levels of trans fats/ partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Reusing cooking oil is rampant across all groups surveyed. Reusing cooking oil changes the chemical and nutritional properties of oil and increases the trans fats content. Survey revealed that only 32 per cent of consumers and the same percentage of bakery representatives were aware of the harmful effects of reuse of cooking oil.
S Saroja, executive director, Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG), said, "Though the study is limited in its scope, it reiterates the fact that all stakeholders need to be sensitised to the ill-effects of trans fats. We will be sharing the results of this study with the Food Safety Department and continue our engagement with them to make sure that Tamil Nadu is fully compliant with the regulations and work towards a trans fats-free state.”
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