Parliamentary Roundtable on Industrial Trans fatty acids, hydrogenated oils and Human Health, Nov 19, 2024

November 19, 2024 Parliamentary Roundtable

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-01

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-02

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-03

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-04

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-05

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-06

Parliamentary-Roundtable-on-Industrial-Trans-fatty-acids-hydrogenated-oils-and-Human-Health-07

An imperative Parliamentary Roundtable on iTFAs and PHOs, was held on November 19, 2024, at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Islamabad, in close cooperation of Pakistan Youth Change Agents (PYCA) and CPDI Pakistan that brought together key stakeholders comprising of 37 participants including Members of Parliament (MPs), government, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The goal was to evaluate progress, challenges, and the way forward in the elimination of industrial trans fats (iTFAs) and to explore legislative measures to mitigate health risks associated with partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). The event highlighted the urgent need to align Pakistan’s standards and regulations with global best practices to reduce the public health burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) caused by unhealthy dietary fats.

The event commenced with the recitation of Quran by Qazi Ahmed Sabih. Mr. Rizwan Manzoor, Assistant Director (Research) PIPS, moderated the event and invited Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director PIPS to mark the formal commencement of the discussions. He welcomed the participants and thanked them for attending the vital session regarding public health. He informed the participants about the purpose of session and apprised that almost 80 countries around the world have formulated comprehensive policies to regulate the use of trans-fats in food items.

Later on, Ms. Areebah Shahid, Executive Director Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), was requested to moderate the first session. She formally welcomed the participants and praised PIPS’s efforts in organizing the session. She shared the agenda of the session and introduced the panel of speakers to the participants. She provided a historical overview of the campaign purported to disseminate awareness among masses about the potential health hazards of iTFAs and partially hydrogenated oils. She also showcased a short documentary video pertaining to the campaign.

The moderator later on invited Dr. Tausif, MoNHSR&C to discuss the importance of eliminating industrial trans-fat for public health. Dr. Tausif provided an in-depth analysis of the health risks associated with iTFA consumption, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Pakistan’s situation is alarming, with high rates of obesity (58%) and diabetes prevalence (33 million adults). The Ministry of Health’s efforts since 2019, including developing a National Action Plan and enforcing TFA limits, were highlighted.

He went on to suggest that iTFAs have no nutritional benefits and significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. He remarked that Pakistan has made progress, with standards being adopted in 2023 to limit iTFA levels to 2% of total fats in specific food products. He recommended the need for a comprehensive ban on PHOs was emphasized to eliminate the primary source of iTFAs.

Later on, Mr. Munawar Hussain In-Country Coordinator, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) was invited to share insights from international experiences in eliminating iTFAs. He cited successful examples from Denmark, Argentina, and New York. He underlined how robust regulatory frameworks and public health campaigns have led to measurable reductions in disease burdens. He stressed upon the need to formulate stringent policies to limit iTFA to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases on national exchequer. He also advocated building robust political endorsement of the proposed policies for meaningful results. He concluded with a set of recommendations including adoption of single uniform regulation by PSQCA to cover all foods with iTFA limits of 2% of all fats and putting a complete ban on partially hydrogenated oil.

Honorable Member National Assembly, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro joined the session virtually and shared parliamentary perspective on the subject matter. She informed that government is fully committed to eliminating iTFA by enacting relevant legislation and policy interventions as well.

Hon Dr. Zulifqar Ali Bhatti, Member National Assembly MNA acknowledged the need for governmental engagement in this matter but stressed the need for greater awareness especially among youth as they tend to prefer junk food.

The second session titled “From Standards to Legislation: Strengthening Pakistan’s iTFA Regulation ad PHO Ban Framework” was moderated by Ms. Areebah Shahid, Executive Director, PYCA. She introduced the panel and laid bare the topic of the session. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director, Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) was called upon to discuss the topic. He informed the participants about the mechanism to address the issue at hand. He also underlined the role of political leadership, and also celebrities from all walks of profession to discourage junk food including bakery items with low quality standard. He deplored that policies and legislative frameworks abound, but their implementation is always lacking. He recommended an integrated approach in this regard that entails broader cooperation among all stakeholders. Ms. Saba Amjad, CEO Heartfile briefly talked about the causes of the present state of affairs, and stressed upon the need for team work and also advocated a hybrid approach to address this issue. Dr. Noor Hassan Kakar, Director Technical, Balochistan Food Authority discussed the role and the working of the authority. He explained how the Food Authority Department collects samples and tests them in laboratory. He informed that the department collected over 1200 food samples to analysis and filed 22 FIRs against non-compliance.

PSQCA representatives and members of the technical standard committee Mr. Ashraf Palari, along with Ayaz Ahmed jointly elaborated on the technical aspects of setting standards for iTFAs in Pakistan. He explained PSQCA’s efforts to align national standards with WHO recommendations and to develop a single, comprehensive standard for all foods.

Hon, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Member National assembly of Pakistan MNA also voiced concerns regarding lax implementation despite of laws. She also talked about the dual standards being followed by food producers as they tend to follow quality standards for edibles meant for export purpose and the same is not done for domestic purpose. She also endorsed an outright ban on iTFAs. Hon MPs Sofia Saeed and Ms Asia Naz Tanoli also endorsed the PIPS and PYCA initiative to save precious lives from adulterated oils not following the standards producing diseases such as diabetes, heart ailments, Alzheimer and cancer.

The session concluded with closing remarks by the moderator, Ms. Areeba Shahid Executive Director, PYCA and Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director, PIPS. Mr. Zaka proposed follow-up meetings on the subject matter and recommended for similar sessions at provincial level as well. He gave a vote of thanks to the participants and panelists. It was followed by a group photo session among participants and organizers.

On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.

Parliamentary Roundtable on Industrial Trans fatty acids, hydrogenated oils and Human Health, Nov 19, 2024

@ Your Service