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Assessing Hidden Trans Fat Sources in Refined Vegetable Oils: A Multi- Country Analysis to Inform Global TFA Policy Implementation
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Background: World Health Organization (WHO) has been working toward the global elimination of industrially produced trans fat (iTFA) through the REPLACE initiative since 2018. The initiative has successfully introduced mandatory, best practice regulations in more than 45 countries since 2018. WHO recommends one of two policy options: 1) limit iTFA to 2% of total fat in all fats, oils and foods, or 2) ban the production and use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO).
It is established that the application of high temperatures during the deodorization stage of oil refining can lead to the conversion of unsaturated fatty acids to TFA. Typically, the trans isomers created through this process are quite low ranging, from 0.5-2% percent of total fat. However, evidence from Bangladesh and China has shown that some vegetable oils exceed the WHO recommended limit, and have a higher than expected trans fat content, likely due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This unexpected source of TFA could mean that the impact of TFA intake on heart disease is underestimated; that relying on PHO bans may have limited efficacy, and that TFA monitoring and surveillance activities may be overlooking an important source of trans fat in the diet.
Resolve to Save Lives in collaboration with partners from the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and several collaborators in low and middle-income countries, is conducting a multi-country assessment to determine the prevalence of high TFA in refined vegetable oils. The study aims to 1) measure the levels of iTFA in commonly used cooking oils in study countries, 2) compare the prevalence of iTFA in commonly used cooking oils across study countries, and 3) establish whether price, type of oil and ingredients, or brand influences iTFA content in cooking oils.
Methods: Our methodology will map the available vegetable oils from common vendors in 8 countries. In each country, up to 20 oils will be collected, key nutrient information will be recorded, and a label analysis conducted. Oils will be analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection at INSA’s lab. Data will be collected and analyzed between January and June 2025.
Results: Samples from 10 countries will be analyzed according to the WHO Laboratory Protocol on Measuring TFA and reporting as a percentage of TFA of the total fatty acids in oils. Results will be compared across oil types and countries, as well as with other relevant data from the literature and from previous studies.
Conclusions: This study will reveal important information about sources of trans fat in the diets of many low and middle-income countries and potentially lead to significant changes in plans for TFA policy adoption and implementation.
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Palavras-chave
Composição dos Alimentos Trans Fatty Acids Refined Vegetable Oils WHO