Trans fat in our foods is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases
Countries can now apply to receive the World Health Organisation (WHO) validation certificate for trans fat elimination. Through this new programme, WHO will formally recognise countries that have eliminated industrially produced trans fat from their national food supplies, becoming world leaders in protecting the heart health of their people.
To be evaluated during the first annual meeting of the Trans Fat Elimination Technical Advisory Group, countries are being invited to submit applications and supporting materials by 19 May 2023.
In 2018, WHO called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat by 2023 and released the REPLACE action framework to support countries in implementing best practice policies. Member States signed on to meet this ambitious target as part of the WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work 2019-2023 and the Triple Billion Targets.
Countries have been responding to WHO’s call and advancing towards the target of global trans fat elimination by 2023. Today, 44 countries have best-practice policies in effect, covering 2.8 billion people (37% of the world population). An additional six countries passed best-practice policies that will come into effect soon, extending protections to3.4 billion people (44% of the world’s population).