As a digital advocate on Transfat elimination, I am afraid that achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3 on Good Health and Well-being could be a pipe dream. This is not to “pour cold water” on the efforts toward health system strengthening globally. As a realist, I cannot permit myself to sugarcoat issues, yet I also give credit to where one is due. I am not a doomsayer. Far from it. I am utterly concerned about the slow pace at which we are implementing certain activities geared towards improving the health of the general population and ultimately achieving SDGs, whose deadline is approaching fast and furious.
I am astonished that despite the plethora of evidence regarding the cardiovascular health effects of Industrially Produced Trans fatty Acids (partially hydrogenated oils), a few countries have enacted trans-fat policies limiting the production of these dangerous oils. According to the World Health Organization, industrially produced trans-fat is responsible for up to 500 000 premature deaths from coronary heart disease each year around the world. Transfats are commonly found in packaged foods, baked goods, cooking oils, and spreads.
It is heartbreaking, literally, to learn that not a single country in East African Region has enacted trans-fat policies despite the wealth of information regarding their cardiovascular health effects. In May 2018, the WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fatty acids by 2023 and released the REPLACE action framework to support countries in implementing the prompt, complete, and sustained elimination of industrially produced trans fats from the food supply. I am grateful to WHO for developing REPLACE, a technical package that can be utilized by countries to develop effective strategies for eliminating Industrial produced Transfat. This a free resource that should be utilized to fast-track the achievement of SDG 3, target 3.4.
Two best-practice policies recommended for TFA elimination according to WHO are: 1) a mandatory national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced TFA per 100 grams of total fat in all foods; and 2) a mandatory national ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) as an ingredient in all foods.
The World Health Organization notes that while most trans-fat elimination policies to date have been implemented in higher-income countries (largely in the Americas and in Europe), an increasing number of middle-income countries are implementing or adopting these policies, including Argentina, Bangladesh, India, Paraguay, Philippines, Ukraine, and lately, Sri Lanka. Best-practice policies are also being considered in Mexico and Nigeria. No country in East Africa.
With the 2030 deadline for achieving SDGs fast approaching, I cringe each day when I see governments across East Africa not putting a concerted effort through transfat policy initiatives to protect the cardiovascular health of their citizens. What more evidence is needed to prove that Transfats have deleterious cardiovascular health effects?
In our first phase of the transfat elimination campaign through the International Institute for Legislative Affairs, we supplied a plethora of evidence regarding the health effects of industrially produced transfats. We compellingly believe there is a great body of knowledge that can be utilized by governments across EAC to enact trans-fat policies to guarantee health and save lives. Our transfat elimination campaign is geared towards reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death not only regionally, but also globally. Underpinning our advocacy endeavor is SDG target 3.4, which seeks to, by 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
As advocates for good health, we make a passionate appeal to East African countries to make transfat regulation a top priority. Protecting health should be a #1 priority. A HEALTHY region is a WEALTHY region. This should be a no-brainer. We impress upon countries in EAC to ACT NOW because without effective transfat policies, achieving SDG 3 remains just a pipe dream. Let us not be deceived that we will also join the world to celebrate achievements in enhancing global health if we do not do our part. East Africa must wake up from its deep slumber and set its priorities right. As far as we are concerned, Trans-fat elimination should dominate policy conversations, but it must not stop there. We want to see a slew of trans-fat policy initiatives. Let us redeem the lost opportunity, if at all, we can revive and nourish the hopes of achieving SDG 3 in East Africa.
ODUOR KEVIN 