Ban trans-fats in restaurants: HCFI

Heart Care Foundation of India has urged banning of trans fats in the restaurants.

Trans fats have been a staple in the tastiest junk foods for more than 100 years. But Monday marked the end of the once-prevalent ingredient following the Food and Drug Administration’s ban of artificial trans fats from American restaurants and grocery store food items. The FDA deemed trans fats unsafe in 2015, and gave companies until June 18, 2018 to eliminate the ingredient.

The FDA ban applies to artificial trans fats, which are made chemically by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil. (partially hydrogenated oil is also trans- fat.). Trans fat increases the shelf life of packaged foods, and restaurants like to use it as oil for deep frying because it doesn’t need to be changed as often as other oils.

Trans fats increases the bad cholesterol and reduces the levels of good cholesterol in the blood.

Dr KK Aggarwal writes to Honb’le PM : REPRESENTATION FOR DIRECTION TO BAN USE OF TRANS FAT IN RESTAURANTS IN INDIA

Reference No.: HCFI/June/2018/003

Date: 20th June

To,

1. Shri Narender Modi

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Prime Minister’s Office

E Block, Central Secretariat

New Delhi – 110001

2. Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda

Hon’ble Minister of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

FDA Bhawan, Opposite Mata Sundri College

Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002

3. Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

Hon’ble Minister of Ministry of Law & Justice

3rd Floor, ‘C’ Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003.

Phone: 011-24698655

E-mail: prao-law@nic.in

SUBJECT:     REPRESENTATION FOR DIRECTION TO BAN USE OF TRANS FAT IN RESTAURANTS IN INDIA

Respected Sir,

Heart Care Foundation of India (hereinafter referred to as “HCFI”) is registered charitable trust which was incorporated in the year 1986 for creating awareness about all aspects of health using innovative low cost informative ways. In two of its events, one Run for the Heart in 1991 and Perfect Health Mela in 1993, Government of India has released National Commensurate Postal Stamps. Also, in 2012 Government of Rajasthan released Cancellation Stamps for organizing first ever telemedicine camp. Also, for organizing Mega CPR Camp, the HCFI’s name has been recorded in Limca Book of Records.

The National President of HCFI namely Dr KK Aggarwal has been honoured with the highest national award “Padma Shree” in the year 2010. Presently, Dr. K K Aggarwal is a Vice President of CMAAO and also Immediate Past National President of Indian Medical Association.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) has banned artificial trans fats from American restaurants and grocery store food items. The FDA has deemed trans fats as unsafe in the year 2015 and gave time to all the companies in America until June 18, 2018 to eliminate the ingredient i.e. trans fat from their use.

It is submitted that trans fats have been a staple in the tastiest junk foods for more than 100 years. The FDA ban applies to artificial trans fats, which are made chemically by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated oil is also trans-fat). Trans fats increases the shelf life of packaged foods, and restaurants like to use it as oil for deep frying because it doesn’t need to be changed as often as other oils.

The FDA’s move to provide an ultimatum for the ban of trans fats in American restaurants is a highly welcome one and should be replicated with immediate effect in India as well. The health effects of these are not unknown but consumption in various forms continues, particularly when it comes to eating outside food. Trans fats are a byproduct of the chemical reaction that turns liquid vegetable oil into solid margarine or shortening and that prevents liquid vegetable oils from turning rancid. Trans fats boost LDL as much as saturated fats do. They also lower protective HDL, rev up inflammation and increase the tendency for blood clots to form inside blood vessels.”

Trans fats are created by pumping hydrogen molecules into vegetable oils. This changes the chemical structure of the oil, turning it from a liquid into a solid. The process involves high pressure, hydrogen gas, and a metal catalyst – and the end-product is highly unsuitable for human consumption.

Foods rich in trans fats tend to be high in added sugar and calories. Over time, these can pave way for weight gain and even Type 2 diabetes, not to mention heart problems. It is time to take a strong stand against their use in eateries outside considering the fact that many people eat in restaurants regularly in today’s day and age.

 In view of the above, HCFI humbly requests to your good self to take immediate steps and to pass necessary directions thereby banning the the use of trans fat in all restaurants, cafes, hotels, grocery items in India also, in the same manner as it has been banned in America.

HCFI further requests to your good self to pass necessary discretions and to take necessary action for creating awareness among the public at large and for encouraging the public at large to:

1. Choose foods lower in trans fats
2. Replace saturated and trans fats in their diet with mono- and polyunsaturated fats. These fats do not raise LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels and have health benefits when eaten in moderation. Sources of monounsaturated fats include olive and canola oils. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include soybean, corn, sunflower oils, and foods like nuts.

iii.            Choose vegetable oils (except coconut and palm kernel oils) and soft margarines (liquid, tub, or spray) more often because the combined amount of saturated and trans fats is lower than the amount in solid shortenings, hard margarines, and animal fats, including butter.

1. Most fish are lower in saturated fat than meat. Some fish, such as mackerel, sardines and salmon, contain omega–3 fatty acids that are being studied to determine if they offer protection against heart disease.
2. Limit foods high in cholesterol such as liver and other organ meats, egg yolks and full–fat dairy products, like whole milk.
3. Choose foods low in saturated fat such as fat free or 1% dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods and fruit and vegetables.

Thanking You,

Yours truly,

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

National President Heart Care Foundation of India