Staff Reporter:World Heart Day is to be observed on Wednesday, 29 September 2021, in light of the theme “Use Heart to Connect”. Heart diseases are the prime cause of death globally. Most alarmingly, the youth of Bangladesh are highly prone to be diagnosed with heart diseases recently. Intake of trans fat-laden food is a major cause of heart diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh ranks among the 15 countries with the highest burden of trans fat-induced heart diseases. Without immediate finalization of the regulations limiting trans fat, risk of trans-fat induced heart diseases will be on the rise. These issues were discussed by speakers at a webinar titled “Risks of Trans Fat-induced Heart Diseases in Bangladesh and Way Forward” organized today on 28 September 2021 by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, in association with Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), on occasion of World Heart Day 2021. It was told at the webinar that Trans Fatty Acid (TFA) or trans fat is a toxic food element that increases risks of heart diseases and related premature deaths. Dalda or bonospoti ghee, as well as the foods prepared with it, fast food, and bakery items contain trans fat. A study has estimated that one in every five youth in Bangladesh is posed with the risk of heart diseases. Aiming to reduce the prevalence of risks of heart diseases and related premature deaths, the WHO has set the target of eliminating trans fat from the global food supply chain by 2023. Notably, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has formulated the “Limiting Trans Fatty Acids in Foodstuffs regulations, 2021” draft. It has already been vetted and is now waiting for finalization.
Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Professor at the Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, told at the webinar that “Elimination of trans fat will play a key role in preventing non-communicable diseases. We expect that the government will finalize the regulations the soonest.”
Bangladesh Country Lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) Muhammad Ruhul Quddus said that, “Unless trans fat in food is eliminated, risks of trans fat-induced heart diseases will rise, expenditure on health care services will increase, and the economy of the country will incur losses.”
ABM Zubair Executive Director of PROGGA said that, “Young people generally consume more trans fat-laden foods. Without elimination of trans fat from food products, the young generation will be posed with fatal health risks.”
