The Uganda National Health Consumers’ Organisation (UNHCO) has criticised reports of a draft UN declaration proposing a blanket ban on trans fats.
The organisation warns that such discussions risk diverting attention from the urgent need to regulate industrially produced trans fats (iTFAs) in Uganda.
In a statement, UNHCO said it was disappointed to learn of an alleged draft UN declaration for a blanket ban of trans fats reported last month.
Trans fats, or trans fatty acids (TFAs), are a type of unsaturated fat.
They can come from two main sources: naturally occurring trans fats, found in small amounts in meat and dairy, and industrially produced trans fats, created through the partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils.
Health experts say the distinction is critical. While natural trans fats exist in low levels and are not considered a major public health threat, industrially produced trans fats are “toxic” and widely regarded as harmful.
These man-made fats are often hidden in processed foods such as margarine, baked goods, fried snacks and packaged meals.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the consumption of iTFAs leads to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths worldwide every year, largely due to heart disease and related complications.
These fats increase levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, reduce “good” HDL cholesterol, and promote inflammation, all of which raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
UNHCO stressed that the idea of a blanket ban could confuse the public.
“Such a tale of a blanket ban confuses the public by implying that all fats are under attack. This is not true. What is needed—and long overdue in Uganda is targeted legislation against industrially produced trans fats in the food supply,” the organisation said.
Many countries, including Denmark, South Africa, and Thailand, have already passed strict laws limiting or eliminating iTFAs, often setting a maximum limit of 2% in all foods. Public health research shows such policies do not harm business but instead protect citizens’ health and save lives.
UNHCO urged Ugandan policymakers and regulators to take similar action.
“We call upon policy-makers, regulators, and the public to look beyond these diversion tactics and focus on the real matter: a clear and enforceable law banning or limiting industrially produced trans fats in Uganda. The health of our citizens must come before the industries’ interests,” the statement added.
Experts warn that without such measures, Uganda risks falling behind in global efforts to eliminate harmful industrial fats from the food system.