“It is accepted that trans-fat in the diet is a contributing factor for several diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Industrially produced trans-fats are largely present in partially hydrogenated vegetable fats/oils, vanaspati, margarine and bakery shortenings, and can also be found in refined oils, baked products, fried foods and composite foods.įSSAI mentioned that trans-fat regulation to limit the amount of industrially produced trans- fats containing trans-fatty acids in food products has been enacted by many countries. Industrially produced trans-fatty acids are develop by addition of hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils in order to convert them into semi-solid or solid state, and also to increase the shelf life of such oils. The regulator said the compliance with the mandatory national limits on industrially produced trans-fats has to be effectively enforced to eliminate them from the food chain. “The findings of the survey revealed that the food processing industry is positive about FSSAI’s regulation for eliminating the industrially produced trans-fats in foods by 2022,” the statement said.įSSAI said that the survey results “demolish the perception of excessive usage of industrial trans-fat in processed food products.” This study has shown that India is well set to achieve its mandate of eliminating industrially produced transfats by 2022, it added. In category 6, comprising of oils, vanaspati, shortenings and margarines, 100 samples out of a total of 1,069 food products analysed had trans-fat content of more than 2 per cent and less than 3 per cent, while 76 samples contained more than 3 per cent trans-fat. The analysis of 5,176 samples collected from the other five categories of food products (Category 1-5 ) revealed that nearly 0.4 per cent (20 samples) contained more than 2 per cent trans-fat. “The results revealed that only 3.14 per cent (196 samples) contained trans-fat exceeding 2 per cent,” it added.Ībout 90 per cent (176 samples) of the 196 samples that exceeded 2 per cent trans-fat belonged to the category 6 (oils, vanaspati, shortenings and margarine). Elaidate and Linoelaidioate, and calculated in terms of fat content in the processed food samples in selected NABL accredited testing laboratories. The trans-fat content was determined based on the sum of trans fatty acid (TFA) isomers, i.e. “In all, 6,245 samples of packaged products were collected on a random basis to ensure diversity and sampling of local packaged foods from different strata of food market,” the statement said. Samples of various packaged food items under six pre-defined food categories were collected from 419 cities/districts across 34 States/Union Territories.Īs many as 1,051 samples were collected in category 1 - sweets, toppings and chocolates category 2 - fried foods 1,061 samples category 3 - bakery and confectionery products 1,072 samples category 4 - frozen foods 973 samples category 5- composite foods 1,019 samples and category 6 - oils, vanaspati, shortenings and margarine 1,069 samples. The survey was in partnership with Quality Council of India (QCI). To assess the market situation, the regulator said it has carried out a baseline survey for presence of industrially produced trans-fatty acid content in the selected food categories. Food regulator FSSAI on Wednesday said only 3.14 per cent or 196 of 6,245 samples of packaged food items contained trans-fat exceeding 2 per cent.įood Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated to reduce the limit of industrially produced trans-fats, to not more than 2 per cent to make the country free from the industrially-produced trans-fats by 2022, a year-ahead of the WHO guidelines, the regulator said in a statement.