FSSAI urges to use trans fat-free logo on oil

FSSAI has issued new guidelines concerning eliminating trans-fat acids to ensure stakeholders are made aware of the sources, types, regulations, and impact on health. Now the FBOs are asked to get the products tested for trans fats. In case, the products contain no more than 0.2 g per 100mg of food, the FBOs can label products trans-fat-free.

The guidelines describe the plans to eliminate trans-fats from the diets and supply chain. Further, this note emphasizes adopting the use of new technologies helping to eliminate the industrial trans fats from the oils. While few are yet learning to adopt the new technologies, the rest have switched to the newer technologies.

The note has mentioned the use of technologies such as ‘inter-esterification, binding options, selection of raw materials, modifying hydrogenation process and monitoring and deodorization’. Those processes allow the FBOs to eliminate or limit the trans-fats from the supply chain.

Other strategies were suggested by the professionals to the FBOs. It was clearly mentioned that the professionals such as chefs, bakeries, etc. should purchase the packaged oil that clearly states, the oil has declared nutritional value for trans fats and should consider using trans-fat-free or less than 2% trans fat content. Also, manufacturers are recommended to maintain the certificates of analysis.

The health hazards caused due to industrial-produced trans fats are to be eliminated by 2022. Since then, FSSAI has issued instructions to limit the consumption of industrial fatty acids by January 2022. This regulation is extended to the food products having fats, and edible oil. Recently, the food authority has revised the method for determining the trans fatty acids in hydrogenated vegetable oil. All the food testing laboratories are recommended to ensure analysis as per the prescribed method.

Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, “The Food Business Operators, and Manufacturers should ensure adhering to the norms that ensure the health of consumers is not taken for granted. The oils and fats from the processes are harmful to the health of the consumers. It becomes difficult for consumers to deal with health hazards caused due to the consumption of such oil.”

Equinox Labs is a leading FSSAI Approved and NABL Accredited Food, Water, and Air Testing Lab with 16+ years of experience. With a PAN-India presence, they are also Industry Leaders in Food Safety Auditing and FoSTaC Training.

He added, “The chefs, bakeries, hoteliers, and other people serving the consumers are required to use the oils and fats. The oils and fats abstracted contain the stronger content affecting the health majorly. Eliminating trans fats ensures the health of people is considered.”