REPLACE trans fat: an action package to eliminate industrially produced trans-fatty acids

Overview

Elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFA) from the food supply is one of the priority targets identified in the draft 13th General Programme of Work, which will guide the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019-2023. Increased intake of TFA (>1% of total energy intake) is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) events and mortality. Globally, more than 500,000 deaths in 2010 were attributed to increased intake of TFA.

Industrially produced TFA have no known health benefits. Elimination of industrially produced TFA is feasible and achievable. During the past decade, various policy actions (including mandatory and voluntary TFA labelling, reformulation, and national and local TFA prohibitions) have been implemented by countries aiming to restrict the TFA content of food and reduce TFA intake in their populations. Several countries have in fact virtually eliminated industrially produced TFA from the food supply through implementation of systematic policy actions and monitoring programs.

The REPLACE package serves as a roadmap for countries to implement actions to reduce and eliminate industrially produced TFA, and outlines six strategic action areas to support the prompt, complete, and sustained elimination of industrially produced TFA from the food supply.