Companies told to reformulate, remove industrially-produced trans fatty acids

Armando Fenequito Jr.

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posted on 3 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday reminded food companies to reformulate and remove industrially-produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) from their products by June 18, 2023, in compliance with DOH Administrative Order 2021-0039 and FDA Circular 2021-028.

DOH’s Public Health Services Team Undersecretary Dr. Beverly Ho in a statement said the DOH, together with the FDA and the National Nutrition Council (NNC), works to ensure that iTFA-free policies are fully implemented.

"We expect no less than the food industry’s full compliance to protect Filipinos’ heart health,” she said.

iTFA, a toxic fat, increases the risk of developing comorbidities and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), according to DOH. After the deadline, pre-packaged and processed food with iTFA will be banned from sale to consumers. Food products with high iTFA that need to be reformulated include margarine and instant coffee.

FDA Center for Food Regulation and Research Director Pilar Marilyn Pagayunan said after June 18, 2023, all product formulations and labels of pre-packaged processed food containing industrially-produced TFA shall be fully compliant with these guidelines, immediately thereafter.

"Any establishment found to be in violation of any provision of the DOH Administrative Order 2021-0039 and FDA Circular 2021-028 shall be ground for disapproval and suspension or cancellation of CPR,” she said.

For her part, public interest law group ImagineLaw Executive Director lawyer Sophia San Luis said, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., is urged to effectively address heart disease in the Philippines by supporting a legislation that will ban iTFA in the country’s food supply a week before his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Building back better means creating an environment that promotes healthy choices for Filipinos,” she said.

San Luis said heart disease is not only the leading cause of death for Filipinos, it also leads to more severe COVID-19 outcomes.

"By eliminating iTFA, we are one step closer to building a healthy and resilient Philippines”, she said.

For her part, Nutritionist-Dietitians Association of the Philippines (NDAP) chair Dr. Zenaida Velasco said as the country strive to adapt to the new normal, Marcos must protect the Filipinos’ health by ensuring that the Philippines becomes TFA-free,''

“This coming SONA, we urge PBBM to include iTFA elimination as part of his priority health agenda,” she said.