Trans-Fat Free’ logo

News:Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has launched the Trans Fat Free logo of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India(FSSAI).

Facts:

About the logo:

• Food establishments can display “Trans Fat Free” logo in their outlets and on their food products in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018.
• The regulations specify that trans-fat free claim can be made for foods which contain less than 0.2 gm trans-fat per 100gm /100ml.
• The logo provides an important milestone in the movement against Trans-Fats and also provided a momentum to accelerate the ‘Eat Right India’ movement of FSSAI.

What are trans-fats:

• Trans-fats are the worst type of fats with known health risks. 
• They are largely present in partially hydrogenated vegetable fats or oils, vanaspati, margarine and bakery shortenings, and can also be found in baked and fried foods. 
• Industrial trans fats are made by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid and to increase shelf life of foods. 
• Every year about 5 lakh people die globally of cardiovascular diseases, and for this the consumption of food laced with industry trans fats is a contributing factor.In India itself the number of deaths is around 60,000.

Additional information:

Eat right movement:

• The Eat Right India Movement was launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in 2018.
• The movement is a preventive healthcare measure to trigger social and behavioural change among people.
• The movement aims to improve public health in India and combat negative nutritional trends to fight lifestyle diseases.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory, autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.