Combating trans fatty acids in food supplies
The Sultanate of Oman has further enhanced its impressive list of accolades by receiving a new ranking from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from food supplies.
Other countries that have been recognised for adopting this best-policy for reducing trans fats in their national food supplies by 2025 include the Republic of Austria, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Singapore.
According to Oman's state-run news agency, the WHO recognition reflects the country's strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life, consolidating preventive healthcare, and improving public health indicators. This aligns with the strategic objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to elevate the nation to the ranks of developed countries, with health as a top priority.
The news agency quoted Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, as saying, 'The elimination of trans fats represents a significant milestone in our commitment to promoting and protecting community health. Oman takes pride in being one of the nine leading countries globally and the second country in the Arab world to implement this life-saving policy aimed at eliminating this harmful ingredient.'
Oman's healthcare system emphasises quality, transparency and accountability. It features a national framework designed to promote and protect public health in accordance with precautionary principles, validated scientific evidence and international health regulations.
In 2022, Oman took action in combatting trans-fatty acids, when it issued a ban on the production, import and marketing of partially hydrogenated oils and food products in which these oils are used.
The ban was issued by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Water Resources and it came into effect on July 24, 2022. The decision was expected, given that the problem of high trans-fatty acid intake among the Omani population was highlighted in the National Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, where such a measure was also proposed.
Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are unsaturated fats found in both industrial and natural sources. Their use has increased dramatically in recent years because they tend to be cheaper and are suitable for a variety of processed food products.
The World Health Organization has set a target to implement best-practice policies in countries that account for at least 90 per cent of the global trans fats burden by the end of 2025, with a goal of reaching at least 70 per cent within each region. But the global progress remains inadequate, despite policy intention across regions. To date, only 60 countries have adopted these policies, which collectively cover 46 per cent of the world's population.
Experts warn that the consumption of in ultra-processed packaging can have severe health consequences. They describe these foods as an open invitation to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and even cancer.
A high intake of trans fats, defined by the UN health agency as more than one per cent of total energy intake, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and mortality.
The consumption of trans fats elevates levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a recognised biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. Research indicates that diets high in trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease by 21 per cent and the risk of death by 28 per cent. Trans fat intake is responsible for up to 500,000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year.
"Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats significantly contribute to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health," stated Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Countries must implement best-practice policies, like restricting trans fats to 2 grammes per 100 grammes of total fat or prohibiting partially hydrogenated oils, and also show strict enforcement and monitoring to qualify for the WHO's validation programme, the UN health agency notes.
Samuel Kutty
The writer is a freelance journalist and author who worked in Oman and India
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
11 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Muscat Municipality organises training programme in pest control
Muscat: In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), Muscat Municipality successfully conducted a specialised training programme for the pest control professionals, from 18 May to 1 June 2025. This initiative is part of the Municipality's ongoing efforts to build national expertise in vector control and raise public health standards across the Governorate. Aligned with the latest international standards and best practices, the programme was designed to train the national workforce and field operatives in pest control. It offered a comprehensive approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. It focused on pest identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of integrated, sustainable, and environmentally conscious control strategies. The initiative included a series of scientific lectures and on-site workshops delivered by leading international experts from the WHO. Skilled professionals across the wilayats of Muscat Governorate participated in these sessions, contributing to a dynamic and engaging training environment. 'The collaboration with the WHO underscores Muscat Municipality's commitment to strengthening partnerships with global institutions and capitalising on their expertise across various fields. It enables us to adopt world-class public health practices and further develop the skills and capabilities of our national workforce, contributing directly to national efforts to mitigate health risks and improve quality of life. "We remain steadfast in our investment in human capital, which forms the foundation of the sustainable urban development we aspire to,' said His Excellency Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality. Notably, this programme marks a significant milestone in Muscat Municipality's strategy to establish an effective and enduring pest control system aligned with public health objectives and national priorities. The Municipality also reaffirmed its commitment to enhance cooperation with international organisations, advance knowledge exchange, and launch further specialised training initiatives. Ultimately, this approach will empower national talent and elevate municipal services in line with the highest professional and scientific benchmarks.
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
MoH tightens rules on promotion, marketing of drugs in Oman
Muscat – Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced new regulations for advertising and promoting medicines aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring ethical marketing practices in the pharmaceutical sector. Issued by H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health, Ministerial Decision No 135/2025 outlines procedures and conditions that pharmaceutical firms, agents and consultants must follow before promoting any medicinal product in Oman. The decision was issued on May 29 and will come into effect from today. Under the new rules, only licensed pharmaceutical companies, authorised local agents and approved pharmaceutical consulting offices can advertise medicines. All advertising must be pre-approved by the Drug Safety Centre. To be eligible for a licence, the product must be registered, and the advertising content must match the approved drug leaflet and summary of product characteristics. It must clearly define the target audience and avoid any wording that could mislead consumers, exaggerate benefits, harm public health or breach public morals. 'The objective is to protect consumers from misleading information and to ensure that advertisements remain factual and within the ethical boundaries of public health,' a ministry official said. Applicants must submit a copy of the advertisement, the drug's registration certificate, proof of fee payment and any other documents requested by the centre. The Drug Safety Centre is mandated to respond within 60 days. No response within that timeframe implies rejection. If an application is found incomplete, the applicant will be given 30 days to address shortcomings. Failure to do so within that period will result in application cancellation. Licences are valid for three months and may be renewed for similar periods. Renewal requests must be submitted at least 20 days before licence expiry and will be assessed under the same terms. Advertisers must include the licence number in all materials and documentation, use only approved formats and obtain prior approval for any change. Advertising prescription-only medicines is restricted to scientific publications or at conferences and professional meetings attended by pharmacists and healthcare workers.
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
Turkey sees sharp rise in obesity
Istanbul, Turkey – Worldwide, over one billion people are living with obesity. It's become such a serious issue that the World Health Organization has called it an 'epidemic'. According to a 2022 WHO report, Turkey ranks first in Europe for rates of overweight and obesity, with 66.8% of people affected. Turkey is also one of the world's high-income nations that is experiencing the sharpest rise in obesity. By 2030, it's estimated that 27mn people in Turkey – or one in three – will be obese. Health and social experts attribute this trend to insufficient nutrition, social inequality, unhealthy food supplies and a lack of coherent policy strategies. Studies indicate that one in five children in Turkey suffers from malnutrition, at least 10% of whom are overweight or obese. 'Poverty is the problem' For years, Turkey has faced high food price inflation, reducing citizens' purchasing power. Hacer Foggo, a Turkish poverty researcher and activist, said the growing number of obese children can be linked to extreme poverty. 'Malnutrition can stunt growth and lead to obesity,' she said, pointing to a 2022 study by the Turkish Statistical Institute showing that 62.4% of children in Turkey predominantly eat bread and pasta. These findings, she added, have not been taken seriously enough. Bulent Sik, a food researcher, sees a direct link between the rise in child obesity and the widespread consumption of highly processed foods with low nutritional value and a high sugar content. 'The increasing consumption of cheap, easily accessible snacks and sugary soft drinks is directly tied to the rise in obesity,' he said. As long as the manufacturing of these products is not regulated, he added, most political measures remain merely symbolic. Sik also warned of another risk: the use of toxic chemicals in food production, such as pesticides and certain additives that are related to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. 'Some of these toxic substances have a negative impact on hormone systems,' he explained, 'which poses a serious threat, especially for growing children'. He cited a study by Greenpeace Turkey showing that one-third of produce sold in Istanbul contained pesticide residues that can disrupt hormones, impede neurological development and potentially cause cancer. Despite these findings, Sik said, government food oversight policies still focus primarily on calorie counting. National campaign Turkey's Health Ministry has launched a national public health campaign to combat obesity, setting up stations in busy public areas and at event venues to measure citizens' height, weight and body mass index, or BMI. The aim is to identify overweight individuals and refer them to health centres or general practitioners, where they can receive support from nutritional advisers. The ministry hopes its campaign, launched in mid-May, will reach 10mn citizens within two months and help raise awareness about the dangers of obesity while promoting a healthy lifestyle. But the effort has drawn criticism for stigmatising overweight individuals and overlooking the country's broader economic struggles. Healthy foods often expensive Experts say the state has not issued adequate guidelines for healthy eating or restricted the marketing of unhealthy foods. This lack of regulation is putting children and low-income communities at particular risk. 'Political decision-makers are responsible for creating solutions,' said Sik. Healthy and fresh foods are often more expensive and largely inaccessible to low-income households, leading to a nutritional imbalance. This contributes to obesity, growth disorders and iron deficiency in children. Both Sik and Foggo support a nationwide free school meal programme. Foggo criticised the government for failing to act, despite repeated calls. 'In the parliament's protocols, you can see that the Health Ministry has recognised the problem and sees that school meals are the solution. But not a single step has been taken,' she said. Turkey is also facing a shortage of professionals in the field. According to the health and social workers' union Saglik Sen, the number of dietitians working in public hospitals has dropped by nearly 20% over the past five years. DW
