AreaBilateral/Multilateral

Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals

CommodityTrans fat, partially hydrogenated oils/fats

Date01/10/2019

Policy CategoryOther

Policy InstrumentFood standards/health policies

DescriptionPan American Health Organization (PAHO) members agreed to develop an action plan aimed at banning, from 2025, harmful trans-fats from the food supply chains of member countries\' territories. Planned actions would include the establishment of regulatory enforcement mechanisms. The organization invited food industries to join the regulatory effort by voluntarily banning the use of partial hydrogenation of oils and removing partially hydrogenated oils/fats from their products.

NotesINTERGOVERNMENTAL – food standards: Under the auspices of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the countries of the Americas agreed to develop an action plan aimed at banning, from 2025, harmful trans fats from the food supply chains of their respective territories. Reportedly, planned actions would include the establishment of regulatory enforcement mechanisms. PAHO reiterated that the elimination of trans fats from industrial food production was a necessary, feasible and effective policy measure with significant long-term health benefits. The organization also called on the food industry to contribute to the on-going regulatory efforts by voluntarily avoiding the use of partial hydrogenation of oils and removing partially hydrogenated oils/fats from their products. Reportedly, regulations limiting or prohibiting trans fats are currently in place in Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, the United States and Uruguay, whereas in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay regulations are currently at the formulation stage.