In 2022, policymakers in the Caribbean set a goal to stop the inclusion of hydrogenated oils (PHO) from local and regional food supplies by December 31, 2025.
Organisations like Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), Resolve to Save Lives, and other partners are prioritising this initiative to ensure the 2025 goal is met.
Their push is driven by the understanding of the dangers posed by industrially-produced trans fats in diets.
Globally, industrially-produced trans fats are estimated to cause 278,000 deaths annually due to coronary heart disease, contributing to strokes, heart attacks, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to a news release from the OECS, PAHO Caribbean Subregional Programme Interim Director Dr. Juan Manuel Sotelo stated, “Globally, 58 countries have already passed best practice policies, covering 47% of the world’s population and preventing nearly two-thirds of deaths caused by trans fat each year. It is crucial that the Caribbean swiftly aligns with these global efforts to protect the health of its people.”
On September 30, 2024, HCC, Resolve to Save Lives, and their partners launched the campaign titled “Let’s Talk About Trans Fats! And Why They Need to Go!”
Dr. Kenneth Connell, President of the HCC, emphasised, “This campaign is a wake-up call for the region. Industrially-produced trans fats are a silent danger, contributing to the rising incidence of heart disease and strokes in our communities. Our goal is to encourage policymakers to expedite the elimination of these harmful fats while informing and empowering people to demand healthier, safer food choices.”
These efforts are also viewed as a long-term cost-effective measure to protect lives and reduce healthcare costs by preventing NCDs that require expensive treatment.
