Trans Fat
Trans fats are bad fats, which should not be consumed as part of our diet.They are the worst type of fats as they raise the bad cholesterol [Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c)] and lowers the good cholesterol [high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c)] in our body.
Trans fat cause for following Diseases
1. Heart diseases,
2. Overweight/obesity,
3. High blood pressure,
4. Diabetes and
5. some types of cancers.
The sources of trans fat can be
(1) Natural : Natural trans fats are also called ruminant trans fats, as they are present in small quantities in meat and dairy products obtained form ruminant animals such as cows, sheep and cattle.
Natural/ruminant trans fat are not generally considered harmful.
(2) Artificial : Artificial trans fat are also called industrial trans fat as they are manufactured industrially by a chemical process of partial hydrogenation or thermal treatments of edible oils containing unsaturated fatty acids, e.g. refining of vegetable oils and during the process of frying.
They are generally considered harmful. Artificial/industrial trans fat are present in large quantities in partially hydrogenated vegetable fats (vanaspati, margarine and bakery shortenings).
In prepared foods, trans fats are found in:
1. Bakery products: Biscuit, fan, rusk, cake
2. Fried foods: Bhatura, poori, pakora, bhujiya, fried savoury mixtures (namkeens) etc
3. Re-heated oils: Small amounts of trans fats are also formed when the same cooking oil is used for repeated frying; not only at commercial outlets but even at household levels.
Recognizing the health hazards associated with consumption of industrial trans fats, FSSAI intends to eliminate trans fat from the diet in a phased manner by 2022. Therefore, FSSAI has employed two-pronged strategies to achieve its goal of “Freedom from Trans Fat @75.”
a) On the supply side, FSSAI has notified several crucial regulations to regulate trans fat in industrial products, encouraged edible oil industry and food business operators to eliminate trans fat from their products.
b) On the demand side, FSSAI has launched a mass media campaign “Heart Attack Rewind”- a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) with the aim to create awareness about the harmful effects of trans fat by,
Ways to avoid trans fat
- Avoid using "Vanaspati" ghee for any kind of cooking.
- When deep frying the foods (Poori/pakora etc.), do not heat the oil for a very long time. Prefer to not leave the food in the oil for a very long time.
- Do not reheat the oil or re-use the same oil for frying. The oil which has once been used for frying can be used for the preparation of vegetables, curries, dals etc.
- Use smaller vessel (kadhai, etc.) at home for deep frying. This will allow you to do frying using a lesser amount of oil/fat.
- Limit the consumption of baked/processed foods like biscuit/fan, cake, chips, fried savoury mixtures (namkeens, etc.).
Tips & Warnings: Small amount of trans fat occurs naturally in meat and diary products, so choose lean cuts of meat and low dairy products.
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