Ending Trans Fat—The First-Ever Global Elimination Program for a Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Vol. 84; no. 7; pp. 663 - 674
• Main Authors: Steele, Lindsay, Drummond, Elizabeth, Nishida, Chizuru, Yamamoto, Rain, Branca, Francesco, Parsons Perez, Cristina, Allemandi, Lorena, Arnanz, Liz, Schoj, Veronica, Khanchandani, Hema S., Bhardwaj, Swati, Garg, Renu, Frieden, Thomas R., Cobb, Laura K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 13-08-2024
• Subjects: industrial trans fats; noncommunicable diseases; partially hydrogenated oils; REPLACE; trans fats; NCDs; trans fats; iTFA/TFA; GHAI; industrial trans fats; noncommunicable diseases; partially hydrogenated oils; PHOs; REPLACE; RTSL; CSO; GPW13; WHO
• ISSN: 0735-1097; 1558-3597
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.067

Industrially produced trans fat (iTFA) is a harmful compound created as a substitute for animal and saturated fats. Estimated to cause up to 500,000 deaths per year, it is replaceable. In 2018, Resolve to Save Lives, the World Health Organization (WHO), Global Health Advocacy Incubator, and NCD Alliance partnered to achieve global trans fat elimination. The WHO Director-General called for the elimination of trans fat by 2023 through best practice policies outlined in the WHO REPLACE package. Since the accelerated global efforts in 2018, 43 countries have adopted best practice regulations protecting an additional 3.2 billion people and building momentum toward global elimination. Current coverage will prevent 66% of deaths estimated to be caused each year by trans fat in foods. Despite producing and selling iTFA-free products in many countries, companies continue to sell iTFA-containing products in unregulated markets. Global incentives, accountability mechanisms, and regional policies will help achieve the elimination goal.
•Policies can reduce known risk of coronary heart disease due to trans fat consumption.•A strategic partnership accelerated progress toward global elimination of trans fats by 2023.•Policies in place today will prevent 66% of the deaths estimated to be caused by trans fats each year.•Global trans fat elimination offers a model to tackle other nutrition policy priorities.