FeaturedKuwait News

“Saudi Food Authority” to Enforce hydrogenated fats ban in Kuwait for health benefits

As a futuristic healthy society, The Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority is set to implement a regulation in Kuwait by May, targeting the removal of hydrogenated fats from food products to improve public health.

  • The regulation aligns with international health standards, with the aim of making Kuwait free of harmful trans fats and improving the quality of food products.

  • The Saudi Food Authority is launching awareness campaigns to educate manufacturers, restaurant owners, and the public about the regulation and its health benefits.

  • The regulation aims to reduce risks associated with hydrogenated fats, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, improving public health.

  • Inspectors and industry stakeholders, including manufacturers and restaurant owners, are being trained on the new regulation and alternative solutions.

  • Violators face fines ranging from 500 to 1,000 dinars, with the possibility of prosecution, product destruction, and closure of businesses.

The Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority revealed plans to enforce regulations on hydrogenated fats in Kuwait starting early May. This measure is designed to enhance public health by addressing the high consumption of hydrogenated fats, which are linked to chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Dr. Shaima Al-Asfour, the Deputy Director General for Community Nutrition Affairs at the Authority, confirmed during a press conference that the regulation is not new. She noted that it is already in effect in some neighboring countries and has been implemented in European countries since 2017.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Asfour emphasized that the regulation reinforces compliance with international health standards to safeguard the well-being of citizens and residents, aiming specifically to eliminate industrially produced trans fatty acids.

Dr. Al-Asfour expressed her expectation that implementing the regulation would result in lower rates of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. This, she noted, would enhance individuals’ quality of life while also alleviating the financial strain on the healthcare system.

Importantly, Dr. Al-Asfour emphasized the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority’s commitment to enforcing this regulation, highlighting that artificial trans fats are unsuitable for human consumption.

Dr. Al-Asfour added that any imported products containing hydrogenated fats will be banned from entering the Kuwaiti market, with a requirement for thorough examinations of all imported food products.

Also, Dr. Al-Asfour emphasized the importance of raising public awareness regarding food choices and the need to read food labels. She also noted that the Authority’s inspectors will closely examine imported products, ensuring that any products containing hydrogenated oils will be barred from entering Kuwait through laboratory testing of samples.

Dr. Al-Asfour explained that the Authority is committed to ensuring Kuwait receives international recognition for being free of trans fats or hydrogenated fats.

Characteristics

Dr. Al-Asfour added that hydrogenated fats are a type of unsaturated fat, created synthetically by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils, transforming them into a solid or semi-solid form at room temperature.

What’s more is that Dr. Al-Asfour pointed out that the primary benefit of hydrogenated fats is their ability to increase shelf life. These fats are commonly used in processed foods because they enhance the longevity of products, provide a stable texture, and improve both texture and flavor. The resulting crispy texture and rich flavor make them particularly popular among certain companies.

Dr. Al-Asfour confirmed that hydrogenated fats are commonly found in commercial baked goods such as biscuits, cakes, and pies, as well as in artificial margarine. They are also present in fried foods like French fries, fast food, and commercial crisps.

Moreover, Dr. Al-Asfour pointed out that hydrogenated fats are linked to several health issues, including raising harmful cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease, while lowering good cholesterol, which helps protect the heart. Additionally, these fats contribute to increased inflammation in the body, heightening the risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Dr. Al-Asfour stated that this regulation will help improve community health by reducing exposure to harmful components, leading to better overall dietary quality and a decrease in the health burden caused by chronic diseases.

Additionally, Dr. Al-Asfour highlighted that the Authority is making significant efforts to ensure compliance with this regulation, emphasizing coordination with all relevant authorities, including manufacturers and importers. This includes holding workshops on the regulation, launching awareness campaigns, and strengthening market control.

Product Identification Criteria

Regarding the criteria for identifying products containing hydrogenated fats, Dr. Al-Asfour confirmed that the standards involve examining the nutritional content declared on the label, as well as conducting laboratory analysis to ensure the products are free of hydrogenated fats, in line with globally accepted limits.

Dr. Al-Asfour stressed the crucial role of the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority in overseeing the implementation of this regulation. The Authority is responsible for inspecting and conducting laboratory analysis of food products in both the local and imported markets. Additionally, it works to raise awareness among manufacturers and consumers about the importance of adhering to the regulation.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Asfour explained that companies were given a grace period until May 1 to modify their products and eliminate hydrogenated fats, with technical support provided during this period to assist with the transition.

Dr. Al-Asfour shared several tips for consumers to avoid products containing harmful fats, emphasizing the importance of reading food labels. She advised steering clear of products that list hydrogenated fats or partially hydrogenated oils and encouraged focusing on purchasing natural and healthy food products.

Importantly, Dr. Al-Asfour announced the launch of awareness campaigns aimed at educating the community about the risks of hydrogenated fats, utilizing both traditional media and social media platforms to reach a wider audience.

Regarding the challenges the Authority anticipates during the implementation of the regulation, Dr. Al-Asfour noted that these include resistance to change from some companies, the difficulty of achieving comprehensive awareness across all segments of society, and ensuring full compliance in both local and imported markets.

Dr. Al-Asfour emphasized that food products must be entirely free of partially hydrogenated oils. If a food product intended for final consumption or retail sale contains fully hydrogenated oils, the trans fat content from these oils must be less than 2% of the total fat in the product.

Dr. Al-Asfour explained that if a product contains natural trans fats, then its content should not exceed 8% of the total fat in the food product, unless specified otherwise in the product’s specifications.

Additionally, if the product contains refined oils, the trans fat content of the oils used must be less than 2% of the total fat in the product, without affecting the provisions of Technical Regulation 2106 GSO regarding “infant milk, follow-up milk, and milk intended for medical use.”

Dr. Al-Asfour stressed the importance of ensuring that the percentage of trans fat in milk fat does not exceed 3% of the total fat in infant milk products, follow-up milk, and milk intended for special medical use, as milk fat naturally contains trans fats.

Significantly, Dr. Al-Asfour mentioned other projects that the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority is working on completing in the next phase, including the nutrition-friendly schools initiative, the child obesity project, and the development of a comprehensive calorie list.

Penalties

For his part, Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, the Deputy Director General of Oversight and Inspection Affairs at the Authority, confirmed that the penalties for non-compliance with this regulation include fines, withdrawal of non-conforming products from the market, and suspension of the activities of violating companies, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Dr. Al-Jalal added that the penalties for violations range from 500 to 1,000 dinars, in addition to referral to the prosecution. He pointed out that violations without the possibility of reconciliation will be transferred to the prosecution, which will then decide whether to close the establishment or imprison its owner.

Importantly, Dr. Al-Jalal added that during the deadline granted to companies, which is set for May 1, inspection tours will be conducted across all central markets, restaurants, and companies in all governorates. He emphasized that any entity or company that fails to include trans fat information on the label will be fined, and a report will be issued and referred to the prosecution.

Dr. Al-Jalal pointed out that the Authority’s teams will conduct tours of food factories and take random samples. If it is found that hydrogenated fats have been added to the food, the product will be destroyed, and the factory will be referred to the prosecution.

Also the awareness sessions are currently being conducted for company owners to educate and guide them on the implementation of the regulation by the Authority’s inspectors. Dr. Al-Jalal emphasized the distribution of awareness materials to support the regulation’s enforcement, stressing the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority’s cooperation with companies to ensure successful implementation.

Dr. Al-Jalal pointed out that the Saudi Food and Nutrition Authority anticipates facing some challenges in implementing this regulation, including potential resistance from certain entities, companies, and factories in the coming period. However, he stressed that the upcoming months are sufficient to allow these entities to adjust, as the regulation is not new, and all of them are already aware of its requirements.

In conclusion, Dr. Al-Jalal stressed that the Authority has trained its inspectors on how to examine food and take samples. He also highlighted that training courses and seminars have been organized for restaurant owners and manufacturers to familiarize them with the regulation, the penalties for non-compliance, and to assist them in finding suitable alternatives.

Source: Al Jarida



Read Today's News TODAY...
on our Telegram Channel
click here to join and receive all the latest updates t.me/thetimeskuwait






Back to top button