In the bustling alleyways of Bangkok, amid the tantalizing aromas of street food, there’s a small but significant revolution quietly taking place. On January 9, 2019, a vendor fries chicken in what might look like ordinary cooking oil, but it’s part of a monumental shift driven by the “Thailand is Free of iFTA” campaign. Initiated in 2019, this campaign targets the removal of foods containing oils that have undergone partial hydrogenation, or in simpler terms, those pesky trans fats. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Fast forward to now, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has crowned Thailand as one of the top five nations to have successfully scrubbed industrial trans fats from its food industry. This accolade celebrates Thailand’s robust efforts in outlawing industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) since their 2019 ban. Lertchai Lertwut, the deputy secretary-general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shared that rigorous scientific research irrefutably links trans fats to a 28% higher risk of heart and coronary artery diseases. In Thailand alone, heart disease claims an astonishing 60,000 lives out of the half a million annual deaths.
The ambitious “Thailand is Free of iFTA” campaign, a joint initiative by the FDA and Mahidol University’s Institute of Nutrition, doesn’t just aim to ban these harmful oils. It’s about public enlightenment, making everyone from street vendors to high-end restaurants aware of the dangers lurking in partially hydrogenated oils. This proactive stance has earned Thailand the WHO’s admiration, standing out as the sole ASEAN country to strictly adhere to the WHO’s best practices on iTFA elimination.
“We’re watching the food industry like hawks, ensuring that no trans fat sneaks into our food supply,” Mr. Lertchai asserted confidently. “But it’s not just about health; it’s about boosting the credibility of Thai cuisine on the global stage, opening more doors for economic growth.”
Thailand now joins an illustrious group of nations that have received the WHO’s inaugural certificates for combating iTFA—alongside Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, and Saudi Arabia. But what exactly are trans-fatty acids? These are fats that sit somewhere between liquid and solid, occurring naturally and through industrial processes. The danger they pose is grave: higher consumption correlates with increased risks of heart attacks and mortality from heart disease.
Not only do trans fats offer no health benefits, but their common sources—fried foods, pastries, and ready-to-eat meals—are often sugar- and salt-laden, presenting a double whammy to health. Worldwide, a changing tide is notable. Fifty-three countries now enforce best-practice policies against trans fats, positively affecting the food landscape for a staggering 3.7 billion people, or 46% of the global population, compared to a mere 6% just five years ago. Optimistically, these policies are projected to save around 183,000 lives annually.
As you savor that next delicious Thai dish, know that it’s not just bursting with flavor but also free from one of the deadliest fats known to man. Here’s to Thailand’s trailblazing journey towards a healthier future!
It’s amazing to see Thailand take such a proactive step towards eliminating trans fats! This is a huge win for public health.
It’s great in theory, but what about the actual enforcement? Can they really keep trans fats out of every corner of the food market?
I believe they can if they maintain strict inspections and penalties. It’s challenging but not impossible.
And why should we even care? Most people don’t eat enough trans fats for it to matter.
I applaud Thailand for this effort. Now other countries should follow suit. Trans fats are a silent killer.
The food still tastes so good without trans fats. Proof that we don’t need them!
Exactly, it’s more about making healthier choices mainstream. People don’t need to sacrifice flavor for health.
Totally agree! Healthier alternatives are definitely the way forward.
But isn’t this just another way for the government to control what we eat? What happened to personal freedom?
It’s not about control, it’s about public health. People need to be protected from harmful substances.
Yeah, but at what cost? Are we willing to give up our choices for the ‘greater good’?
Thank you, Bob! That’s exactly my point. We should have the right to decide for ourselves.
I work in the food industry, and this has been a massive change for us. It’s been tough but rewarding.
As a fitness enthusiast, I tell my clients to avoid trans fats anyway. This is a step in the right direction globally.
Absolutely! Imagine the impact on public health if more countries followed Thailand’s example.
But what about traditional recipes that use trans fats? Do we just alter our culinary heritage?
Modern health is worth small sacrifices in tradition. We can find healthy substitutes!
This is just another example of the WHO sticking its nose into national policies. It’s too much interference.
WHO guidelines exist for a reason—to improve global health. We should listen to scientific advice.
Still feels like overreach to me. Shouldn’t each country decide its own regulations?
Thailand has set a solid example! Kudos to them. Trans fats are outdated and dangerous.
Next thing you know, they’ll be telling us what brand of underwear to buy to keep us healthy!
That’s a bit of an exaggeration. It’s about removing harmful substances from our diets, not micromanaging our lives.
As a mother, I fully support this initiative. Our kids deserve to grow up healthy!
Has anyone thought of the economic impact on small businesses? Not everyone can afford to switch oils overnight.
True, but health should come first. There must be ways to support these businesses through the transition.
Supporting them financially is one thing, but the logistics are another. It’s not as simple as flipping a switch.
Removing trans fats is just the start. What about reducing sugar and salt? Those are big killers too.
Agreed! One step at a time, though. Let’s celebrate this win before we tackle the next big issue.
If every country could follow Thailand’s example, the global health landscape would look so different in just a few years.
This will definitely make Thai food even more appealing on the global market! Smart move.
Vegans have known about the dangers of trans fats for years. Glad to see the mainstream catching up!
Does this mean we can trust every Thai restaurant abroad to also be trans-fat free? That’d be awesome!