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Trans Fat Bans: WHO Commends 4 Countries
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore for their success in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their food supplies.
- During the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr.
- Trans fats contribute to approximately 278,000 deaths annually due to increased risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease.
The World Health Association (WHO) salutes Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore for eliminating industrially produced trans fats, a critical step in global health. This recognition highlights their commitment to curbing cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of preventable deaths, by implementing robust policies and monitoring. These nations join the ranks of Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand, demonstrating a global shift towards healthier food standards. The WHO’s validation underscores the effectiveness of limiting trans fats or banning partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) to protect populations. The impact extends far beyond national borders, setting a precedent for other countries to follow suit and improve public health. For more global health insights, News Directory 3 has the latest. Discover what’s next in the fight against heart disease.
WHO Recognizes Countries Leading the Way in Trans Fat Elimination
Updated May 28, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore for their success in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their food supplies. These nations, validated earlier in the year, have implemented effective policies, monitoring, and enforcement to safeguard public health. This brings the total number of validated countries to nine, joining Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand, which received recognition in 2024.
During the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the validation certificates.He emphasized the importance of eliminating industrially produced trans fats as a cost-effective strategy to reduce cardiovascular diseases and preventable deaths.
Trans fats contribute to approximately 278,000 deaths annually due to increased risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease. These unsaturated fatty acids, whether from industrial or natural sources, are found in baked goods, fried foods, margarine, and vegetable shortening. The WHO advocates for governments to limit trans fat to 2 grams per 100 grams of total fat in all foods or ban partially hydrogenated oils (PHO).
Korinna Schumann, Austria’s Minister of Labor, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, noted Austria’s pioneering role in trans fat elimination and the impact of evidence-based policies. Dr. Hilal bin Ali bin Hilal Alsabti, Oman’s Minister of Health,