Health experts are urging the Kenyan government to enact mandatory and stronger regulations to eliminate trans fats saying that they are harmful to public health.
According to International Institute of Legislative Affairs (IILA) Executive Director Sheila Masinde, Trans fats are a preventable cause of heart disease.
“We are calling on the government and the broader East African Community (EAC) to take immediate action by adopting WHO’s best-practice policies, which have already proven effective in countries like South Africa and Nigeria.”
Masinde says that effective regulation promises not only healthier communities but also economic savings for the country.
World Health Organization (WHO) proposed two best-practice measures: a national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced trans fats per 100 grams of total fat in all foods or an outright ban on the production and use of partially hydrogenated oils. These regulations according to WHO could save thousands of lives each year by reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Globally, trans fats are linked to an estimated 280,000 deaths annually from cardiovascular diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In Kenya, trans fats is a silent killer that remains a significant public health concern, civil society organizations such as the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) among others are advocating for urgent regulatory action.
Trans fats, primarily found in partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), are widely used in processed foods like margarine, fried snacks, and baked goods. Despite their known risks, these oils continue to circulate in many low- and middle-income countries, contributing to the growing burden of heart disease.
According to Dr. Mathew Varghese of The George Institute for Global Health, implementing trans fat limits regulation would result in a net saving of 40 million USD to the healthcare system.
“Our research shows that by adopting WHO limits on industrially produced trans fats, Kenya could prevent 17,000 cases of heart disease and save over 2,000 lives in just ten years. It’s not just about saving lives; it’s about saving money.”
Currently, Kenya and the EAC region have inconsistent regulations concerning trans fats, leaving consumers at risk.
Food manufacturers continue to use these harmful fats, with limited restrictions in place.
However, health advocates argue that a harmonized, region-wide regulatory approach could mitigate the risk and force food producers to replace trans fats with healthier alternatives.
Caroline Mugendi, a policy expert at IILA, highlighted the economic benefits of regulation saying that “The cost of implementing these policies—about 9 million USD—pales in comparison to the long-term savings. Lower healthcare costs, a healthier population, and fewer deaths from heart disease will more than compensate for the initial investment.”
The IILA says that Kenya is at a crucial point where decisive action could position the country as a leader in public health within the EAC.
IILA call aligns with WHO’s global push to eliminate trans fats by 2023, an effort that has been embraced by many countries worldwide.
Voluntary regulations by the food industry, experts say, are insufficient.
Dr. Varghese explains that, Voluntary efforts don’t work in the long run.
He explains that mandatory regulations are essential if we want to protect the population from the dangers of trans fats.
“We’ve seen countries that have implemented these measures nearly eliminate trans fats from their food supply.”
IILA and its partners are urging the Kenyan government to prioritize the elimination of Industrially processed Transfats (iTFAs) from the food supply.
“The time for action is now. We have the knowledge, we have the tools, and we have the evidence. What we need now is the political will to protect the health of future generations,” Masinde said.
According to experts,if nothing is done, the cost of inaction will be far higher.
“Cardiovascular disease rates will continue to climb, straining healthcare systems and leading to increased mortality and morbidity,” they observed.
