The lack of a common regional regulatory law is hampering efforts to eliminate increasing tons of insoluble fats in foods consumed by East Africans.
And with an average of 9.4 per cent Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) burden in East Africa – influenced by the increased consumption of foods rich in trans fatty acids – health advocates are concerned that absence of coordinated regulations in the region will worsen the efforts to eliminate the harmful oils.
According to the Ministry of Health’s NCD Strategic Plan 2021-2025, deaths due to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) in Kenya alone account for 13.8 per cent.
In Uganda, the country’s premature deaths attributable to CVDs among people aged 30–70 years are the same as neighbouring Rwanda at 10 per cent but higher than those of Tanzania and Ethiopia; 8 and 6 percent respectively.
Subsequently, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) is calling on policy makers in the East African Community to prioritize the development of a harmonized regional regulation on trans fats to reduce the burden of NCDs .
“Together, let’s make a difference in the health of the East African region,” Celine Awuor, the CEO of IILA appealed.
In Tanzania CVDs; injuries, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes accounted for 12, 8, 3, 3 and 2 percent respectively according to the country’s Strategic Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2016-2020.
The NCDs’ landscape in the region continues to pose a significant health burden in the East African region, specifically cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
According to Awuor, they remain a leading cause of death in the EAC.
“In recent years, research has shown that trans fats, a type of unsaturated fat commonly found in processed foods, are strongly linked to an increased risk of CVDs,” she said during a journalists’ roundtable workshop.
The good news however, she pointed out is that there is a solution, a harmonized regulation of trans fats in the EAC region which needs to be fast tracked by all the member states.
“Such a regulation has the potential to promote health and save lives in the region,” she said.
Trans fats are created through the process of hydrogenation, which converts liquid vegetable oils into solid fats. These fats are often used in processed foods because they are inexpensive, have a long shelf-life, and can be used repeatedly for frying.
However, trans fats have been linked to a host of health problems, including CVDs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that Trans fats intake should be limited to less than 1 percent of total energy intake, which is equivalent to less than 2.2 grams per day in a 2,000-calorie diet.
“Unfortunately, many people in the East African region consume much more than this recommended amount,” she said, ushering in Phase 2 of the Trans Fatty acids elimination programme which kicks off this year up to 2027.
Trans fats have been shown to increase the risk of CVDs by raising “bad” cholesterol levels – low-density lipoprotein, or LDL – and lowering “good” cholesterol levels that contain high-density lipoprotein, or HDL.
In addition, trans fats have been linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and other health problems.
“The time for urgent action is now, as the longer we wait, the more lives will be lost to these preventable diseases.”, said Awuor.
In the EAC region, the prevalence of NCDs has increased tremendously in the past two decades, with statistics indicating that this upward trajectory is likely to overtake the burden of communicable diseases.
Within the region, up to 40 percent of all mortality are attributable to NCDs.
In 2018, the WHO launched an initiative called REPLACE, which aims to eliminate trans fats from the global food supply by 2023. This initiative has been successful in many countries, including Denmark, which implemented a ban on trans fats in 2004. As a result, the consumption of trans fats in Denmark has dropped significantly, and the country has seen a corresponding decrease in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
The East African region is facing a significant burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly CVDs. Trans fats are a major contributor to this burden, and policymakers must take urgent action on trans fats to demonstrate their commitment to reducing the burden of Non-communicable diseases;.