On July 23, Anvisa approved a public consultation to restrict trans fat in the food industry. Initially, the text suggests lowering trans fat levels to 2% in end-consumer products. In a second moment, the use of partially hydrogenated oils and fats would be totally forbidden in Brazil. In addition, the creation of practical guides introducing substances that can replace trans fat is also suggested, as well as the creation of new labeling standards.
The Centre of Excellence against Hunger approves the new measures and, alongside the Brazilian Nutrition Association (ASBRAN) and the Federal Council of Nutritionists (CFN), is in favor of changes in the policy for regulating trans-industrial fat in the food industry and the restriction of its use. According to Albaneide Peixinho, Coordinator of the Centre’s Nutrition Projects, scientific evidence proves that trans fat is extremely harmful to health and restricting these substances would benefit the quality of food on the table of Brazilians.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a comprehensive plan that encourages governments around the world that have not yet banned the use of trans fat to eliminate it from the ingredient list of products by 2023, which according to the organization, could save 10 million lives.
ASBRAN and CFN will hold a series of workshops to discuss the public consultation, proposing a broader mobilization, in order to give more visibility to the theme and to engage the sending of qualified contributions.
