Despite their negative impact on health, Trans-fatty Acids (TFAs) persist in various food sources in Pakistan, including Vanaspati ghee, solid margarine, bakery shortenings, and fat spreads. Weak enforcement of regulations and inconsistent oversight have made Pakistan the second-highest consumer of trans-fat in the WHO-EMRO region, leading to an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that continue to place a significant burden on Pakistan’s human and financial resources.
- An approximate $2640 million was spent on diabetes management in 2021.
- By 2045, it is projected that 62 million Pakistanis will be living with diabetes.
- The annual cost of addressing obesity in 2015 was estimated to be PKR 428 billion.
OUR PROGRAMS
To address the public health hazard caused by the prevalence of trans-fats in our dietary sources, PYCA launched the TRANSFORM Pakistan campaign in 2023.
This policy advocacy and media campaign aims to achieve a mandatory national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced TFA per 100 grams of total fat in all foods.