The Nigerian Government on Monday has lamented the increase in consumption of fatty foods by Nigerians with the Ministry of Health adding that it would ensure that the regulations on fats and oils are gazetted on time.
Njenje Media News reports that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mahmuda Mamman, made this known during the official conferment of the Trans Fatty Acids Policy Champion Award on the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunmimbe Mamora, in Abuja.
According to Mamman, the ministry appreciates the regular presentation of the issues regarding Trans Fatty Acids for national discourse and strives to find solutions to its reduction and possible elimination from the Nigerian menu.
He said, “Nigerians love fatty foods. TFAs through research are known globally as toxic chemicals associated with human risk gotten when food is consumed in the presence of industrially produced trans fat most commonly found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils which may be found in baked, fried and packaged foods.
“The toxic chemicals in TFAs are transmitted to related organs like heart and major organs to cause cardiovascular disease and other complications.
“Currently, NAFDAC under our watch is reviewing fats and oils regulation to capture the two per cent maximum limit set up by World Health Organization and the ministry is giving all necessary support and will make sure that the regulations on fats and oils are gazetted on time.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunmimbe Mamora, added that TFAs have been linked to an increase in the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer and death.
“Trans fat has been linked to an increase in the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancers and death. According to the new estimates by the World Health Organization, over 250,000 people died yearly resulting from complications associated with the consumption of foods high in trans fats. This has led to the call for the global elimination of industrially-produced trans-fat by 2023,” he said.
