NON-COMMUNICABLE diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes and kidney ailments, account for 41 million deaths, or about 74 per cent, of annual mortality around the world. However, 77pc of all NCD deaths belong to lowand middle-income countries (LMICs). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)mandated by the United Nations target the reduction of untimely mortality rate by one-third by the year 2030.

It is critical to invest in managing NCDs in the form of detection, screening and timely treatment, but emphasis should also be given to the factors that play a major role in the onset of such diseases.

In the beginning of the 20th century, industrially produced transfatty acids (IP-TFAs) were introduced to the public to replace butter for baking as well as deep-frying purposes. They are created by the hydrogenation of vegetable oil through an industrial process to solidify fat for commercial use. In Pakistan, IP-TFA, commonly called banaspati ghee, is extensively used without knowing the harmful effects due to the cheap source of fat. Besides, oil that is used repeatedly for frying also gets converted into TFA at high temperatures. Consumption of IP-TFA increases the occurrence of heart diseases by 21pe, and death by 28pc as it elevates cholesterollevels, leaving the arteries clogged and hardened.

In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released guidelines to eradicate IP-TFA from the global food system by 2023, while limiting it to less than 1pc oftotalenergyintake to decrease mortality due to CVDs. In 2023, the WHO officially recognised and certified five countries Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Poland and Thailand that have met the deadline.

Although in Pakistan the government has formulated policies for IP-TFA eradication, not much has changed on the ground. Moreover, there is a need for strict and compulsory labelling to depict the percentage of IP-TFA in the food product to improve compliance. Policiesshould be updated and clearly defined for the implementation and enforcement of regulation.

However, spreading awareness through educational campaigns about the harmful effects of IP-TFAs can play a significant role, and will mitigate the health and economic burden of NCDs as well.

Tabinda Ashraf Shahid Islamabad