Fatty foods have long been known to clog arteries and cause cardiovascular diseases but their consumption still remains widespread in developing countries, the World Health Organization says in its latest report.
The WHO warning is part of efforts to prevent some of the 17 million deaths caused every year by cardiovascular diseases, which have been linked to food containing saturated fats and trans-fats.
High quantities of saturated fats are commonly found in butter, salmon, egg yolks and cows’ milk, posing health hazards for a variety of lifestyles..
The health organization prescribes adults and children to reduce their intake of these fats to just 10 per cent of total daily energy needs, the UN said on its website.
Trans-fats – which are found in baked and fried foods and cooking oil – should account for just one per cent of daily calorie intake, the WHO says.
While Western Europe has “almost eliminated” industrial trans-fat use today and Denmark has banned it altogether, several poor and developing countries lag far behind in tackling the threat to public health.
India, Pakistan, Iran, Argentina, African states, and East European countries have need to do a lot to save their populations against excessive trans-fats.
According to WHO, trans-fat levels in some popular street foods are as much as 200 times the recommended daily intake.
“Producers can use another fat with the same property and you can have your wonderful croissant that does not contain any trans-fats,” Dr. Francesco Branca, nutrition director of WHO, says.
The good news is that there are healthier alternatives to food laden with “bad” saturated and trans-fats which are often labelled as “hydrogenated”– an indication that hydrogen has been added, making them easier to use.
“If we really want to get rid of the dangers of the excess trans-fat then there must be a very strong, energetic action from governments to ensure that manufactured products do not use hydrogenated vegetable oil,” said Dr. Branca.
“The removal of trans-fat which has been done in many countries is not even noticed by the consumer,” he added, “so the producers can use another fat with the same property and you can have your wonderful croissant that does not contain any trans-fats.”
WHO says before it publishes its draft guidelines later this year, it will hold public consultations around the world to ensure that they best meet regional needs.
