Kenya must stamp out trans fats to save lives and cut healthcare costs

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Kenya is no exception. The Kenya National Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Management (2024) report that CVDs account for 13 per cent of total deaths and 25 per cent of hospital admissions.

Major risk factors for CVDs include unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and tobacco and alcohol use. Among these, trans fats are particularly harmful, raising the risk of death by 34 per cent, coronary heart disease deaths by 28 per cent, and coronary heart disease incidence by 21 per cent.

Industrially produced trans fats (iTFA) are created through a process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oils, turning them into partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs).

The WHO explains that while frying oil at high temperatures can increase trans-fat concentrations, the amount generated is minimal compared to the trans fats found in PHOs. These fats have no known health benefits.

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Implementing strict regulations on iTFA is crucial for reducing the burden of CVDs in Kenya and globally. In 2018, WHO launched the REPLACE package, a guideline aimed at eliminating trans fats from food supplies.

The package recommends two key actions: 1) a national limit of 2 grams of industrially produced trans fats per 100 grams of total fat in all foods; and 2) a ban on the production or use of partially hydrogenated oils in all foods.

Countries worldwide have successfully implemented policies to limit or eliminate iTFA. In Africa, nations like South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria have enforced limits of 2 grams per 100 grams of fat since 2011, 2022, and 2023 respectively.

These measures have led to significant reductions in CVD-related deaths, offering valuable lessons for other African countries. Denmark was the first to regulate iTFA in 2003, reducing their levels to negligible amounts which contributed to a decline in CVD deaths. Similarly, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared iTFA unsafe for human consumption in 2015, leading to their near-total elimination.

The Kenya National Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Management (2024) emphasize that poor dietary habits, including excessive intake of unhealthy fats, are key modifiable risk factors for CVDs.

Given that CVDs are largely preventable through better nutrition and lifestyle changes, regulating iTFA in food products is an essential preventive measure.

While Kenya has made strides with the Food, Drugs, and Chemical Substances Act (CAP 254), including Legal Notice 115 of 2015, this regulation must be strengthened to more effectively tackle iTFA.

This is an opportunity for Kenya to adopt a robust regulatory framework to protect public health. Beyond the health benefits, regulating iTFA will reduce the economic burden of CVDs on the healthcare system. Treating CVDs is costly, involving long-term medication, hospital stays, and surgical interventions.

By curbing CVD prevalence through dietary regulations, the country can save on healthcare costs and boost productivity by ensuring a healthier workforce.

 Research by The George Institute for Global Health and the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) suggests that implementing a policy to limit iTFA to less than 2 per cent of total fats in Kenya’s food supply could save approximately 50,000 lives and prevent over 100,000 new cases of heart disease over the population's lifetime.

 This policy would generate a return of 20 dollars for every dollar invested, amounting to a net savings of 271 million USD (about Sh28 billion).

The evidence is undeniable. Industrially produced trans fats pose a significant threat to public health, greatly increasing the risk of CVDs and related deaths.

The success of countries that have implemented strict iTFA regulations demonstrates that eliminating these harmful fats is both achievable and life-saving.

Kenya now has the opportunity to act decisively, protecting its citizens from preventable heart diseases. By enforcing strong regulations on iTFA, we can reduce the burden of CVDs, lower healthcare costs, and improve the overall well-being of the population.

A healthier nation means a more productive workforce, a stronger economy, and most importantly a longer and better quality of life for all Kenyans. The time to act is now because every heartbeat matters.