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Trans fat
Why is it in news?
- Kerala government’s health department has drawn up an action plan to generate public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) in commercially available food items and to encourage the local food industry to meet the current statutory limits set for TFA.
- The draft is expected to be finalised and released shortly.
More in news
- The year-long action plan has specific components:(1) Building awareness on trans fat amongst food business operators (FBOs) and giving them scientific sessions and training on how they can keep their food TFA-free.(2) Generating public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fat, especially among schoolchildren, is being given special focus so that the demand for healthier versions of their favourite foods come from the children themselves.(3) Clear timelines are being set as to when each of the components of the plan should be completed and when enforcement should begin.(4) Salt being a major contributor to hypertension and stroke, the action plan also plans to address the high salt content in processed foods, pickles, papads and condiments by encouraging manufacturers to move to low sodium options.
- Need for alternatives:(1) Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) are one of the main sources of TFA in industrially produced food.(2) There is need to switch to TFA-free margarine or shortening to produce baked goods.(3) But alternative technologies and know-how need to provide to for re-adjusting recipes to maintain the taste and texture of products of food industry.
Source
The Hindu