FSSAI Capping Trans Fatty Acids in Food

The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has put a limit on the level of TFA in food. TFA in food is a trans fatty acid. This is up to 2%. This is the recent amendment that started in January 2022. Earlier the allowed limit for TFA in food was 3%. In the very beginning, it was 5%.

The regulation of trans fat is intended to put a control on the level of trans fat in the food. It is the fat that contains trans fatty acid in food items. This similar law has been followed in several Nations. This rule is stimulated by various researchers that showed a drastic impact on health. The consumption of trans fat in high amounts is related to a high risk of heart attack and coronary heart diseases.

What Are Industrial Trans Fatty Acids?

These fatty acids are industrial which means they are formed during the industrial process which incorporates hydrogen in the liquid vegetable oils. This entire process is carried out to make them more solid. This also improves the shelf life of edible items. They are also used in the food industry because of their cheap prices. 

These trans-fatty acids are widely present in fried, baked, processed and other packaged food items. Adulterated is a very good example of Trans fatty acid which is solid at room temperature. The negative aspect of Trans fatty acids is that they induce hypertension and clog the arteries. They are responsible for various cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks.

What Is FSSAI?

It is an autonomous body in India that functions under the ministry of health and family welfare. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) was formed under the food safety and standards act in 2006. It primarily looks after promoting standard health practices of the public by keeping a check on the food. 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India closely keeps an eye on the production and regulation of food. This supervision is mainly looked after by the non-executive chairperson of FSSAI. He/ She is appointed by the central Indian government.

Some Other Important Points

• Year of the foundation of FSSAI: August 2011.
• The chairperson of FSSAI: Rita Teaotia.
• The Headquarters of FSSAI Headquarters: New Delhi.
• The Chief Executive office of FSSAI: Arun Singhal.

What Does It Imply?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has come up with the new food safety and standards regulation, 2021. This is for a prohibition and restriction on sales.

According to the recent rule the food items in which fats and edible oil are utilised as important ingredients should not have trans fatty acid greater than 2% of the overall quantity of food. This came into effect on January 1st 2022.

The Applicability Of FSSAI Capping Trans Fatty Acid In Food. 

Food products generally have edible oils and other ingredients. These are fat refined oil, vegetable fat spread, bakery shortening, vanaspati oil, and mixed fat spreads. These come under the category of the newly registered regulation by the FSSAI.

Conclusion

Trans fats are created during the industrial process of food manufacturing. They are done by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils so that they become more stable. These formed oils are called trans fatty acids. Trans fat improves the food item’s shelf life. As they are very cheap, they are widely used in every food industry which ultimately results in health hazards.

According to the World health organisation, more than 5 lakh occur every year throughout the world because of the consumption of Trans fatty acid which is industrially produced. The World health organisation is aiming to remove trans fatty acids from packaged food products by the end of 2023.