Mapping Industrially-Produced Trans-Fatty Acids in Pakistan

The SUN Business Network (SBN) / Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) are conducting a pilot project with the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) to support the replacement of industrially-produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) by local companies in Nigeria and Pakistan. As part of this project, SBN/GAIN worked with a consultant to develop a report on sources and replacement solutions for iTFA in Pakistan and identified learnings from a workshop on iTFA replacement solutions in Karachi, Pakistan.

The report indicates that in Pakistan, one of the main sources of iTFA consumption is vanaspati ghee (a fully or partially hydrogenated vegetable cooking oil) followed by industrial margarines. Looking at the most suitable iTFA replacement solutions in the context of Pakistan, the report advises the implementation of interesterification (chemical or enzymatic), and a combination of dry fractionation and blending for local companies.

Overall, to ensure successful iTFA replacement by the industry in Pakistan by 2023, the report advised four key recommendations:

• Provide technical support to the industry around iTFA elimination
• Support consumer education on the negative health impact of iTFA consumption
• Implement consistent regulations on iTFA for local and imported products across the country
• Support demand for iTFA free products

Read the full report: Mapping of Industrially-Produced Trans-Fatty Acids (iTFA) in Pakistan