What is Trans Fat and Why is It Banned in the Philippines?
Food with processed trans fat is now banned in the country. This is after the Department of Health released an Administrative Order in 2021.
Filipino consumers will have to update themselves in reading labels. Last June 19, food with trans fat is banned or restricted. This is to comply with an Administrative Order from the Department of Health in 2021.
What is trans fat and why is it important to read about it? Here are some things to know.
Where can you find trans fat?
Trans fat is a dietary fat that is considered the worst fat. It is a common ingredient in bread, oil, and fried food. It’s also used in processed food to give it longer shelf life. Moreover, some dairy products like butter, margarine, and commercial baking products contain trans fat.
Why is trans fat banned in the Philippines?
Studies on trans fat have shown that it has increased bad cholesterol which causes heart diseases. In recent data from the World Health Organization, 500,000 people die every year due to heart-related diseases because of food consumption that has trans fat. In the Philippines, ischemic heart disease is the top cause of death based on the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Because of the alarming report, the DOH has targeted to remove the industrialized trans fat ingredient in the country through an Administrative Order back in 2021. In the said order, the use of “industrialized TFA and processed food containing TFA shall be prohibited from being produced, imported, and distributed for commercial sale or use.”
Senator Nancy Binay has also pushed for a bill to ban the use of trans fats in products.
What foods contain trans fat?
Aside from bread, oil, and fried food, other products that contain industrialized trans fat are popcorn, french fries, frozen pizza, doughnuts, fried chicken, and non-dairy creamer.
What happens now?
Since the order came out back in 2021, manufacturers should have been able to replace TFA with another ingredient. On Monday, June 19, health advocates launched the Bantay Kontra Trans Fat. This is to make sure that companies are complying with the new order.
In addition, Sophia San Luis of the group, ImagineLaw, said that they will conduct literacy in reading packages and food labels. This is to make Filipinos understand why it is important to know the effects of other bad fats.
Moreover, a Facebook page called Trans Fat Free Philippines has been launched to report those who are not complying with the guidelines.
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