Chapati/ Wikimedia CommonsKenya should urgently introduce stricter limits on harmful industrial trans fats in foods, a move that could prevent tens of thousands of deaths, a new policy brief suggests.
The brief recommends that Kenya amend existing food regulations to adopt the World Health Organization's recommended limit of industrially produced trans fats at no more than two per cent of total fat content in foods or ban partially hydrogenated oils altogether.
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The policy brief, titled Eliminating Industrially Produced Trans Fats in Kenya, also recommends stronger public awareness campaigns to educate Kenyans about the health and economic dangers associated with trans fats.
It was produced by the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), a non-profit organisation partnering with the Ministry of Health to combat unhealthy cooking fats.
IILA executive director Celine Awuor said Kenya's current regulations require edible oils to be labelled but do not set an enforceable limit on industrially produced trans fats, leaving consumers exposed to potentially dangerous levels.
She warned that many foods sold in Kenya contain harmful industrial trans fats.
"Although trans fats regulations were passed in 2015, the absence of a strong and enforceable limit means that levels of harmful iTFA exposure from edible fats, oils and food products remain largely unknown. These fats increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, contributing to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases," she said.
Industrially produced trans fats (iTFAs) are mainly created when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oils to make them semi-solid. The process produces partially hydrogenated oils, which are widely used in processed foods because they are inexpensive and extend shelf life.
These fats raise levels of harmful cholesterol while lowering protective cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
According to the World Health Organization, trans fats are commonly found in baked products, fried foods, margarine, snacks and other processed foods because they improve texture and extend shelf life.
Awuor said non-communicable diseases are becoming a major health challenge in the country.
"Today, NCDs are causing more sickness and death in Kenya. They account for 62 per cent of hospital admissions, of which 25 per cent are due to cardiovascular diseases, meaning one in every four of these cases is linked to heart disease.
"Families are also struggling financially, spending about 28 per cent of their household income on treatment, while the country uses 11 per cent of its health budget to treat these diseases."
The policy brief highlights several concerns about trans fats in Kenya's food supply.
A study cited in the report found that nearly 12 per cent of food products used unclear terms such as "vegetable fat" or "margarine", making it difficult for consumers to determine their true trans fat content.
The report also identifies street foods as a major source of exposure.
"Street foods (mandazi, chips, samosas and chapati) represent the largest source of exposure due to the informal sector's reliance on unregulated frying fats and repeated oil reuse," the report states.
Researchers said evidence from a 2023 study published in BMJ Global Health in collaboration with the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) shows that introducing a mandatory limit on industrially produced trans fats of no more than two per cent of total fats in foods could prevent approximately 17,000 heart disease cases and 1,900 deaths within the first 10 years of implementation.
Beyond the health benefits, the report says Kenya would also gain economically by reducing medical expenses and productivity losses caused by illness and premature death.
"Estimates show that Kenya could save approximately Sh2 billion (USD20 million) within the first five years, Sh5.1 billion (USD50 million) over 10 years and up to Sh30 billion (USD270 million) over the population's lifetime. These savings far outweigh the costs associated with implementing the regulations and reformulating food products."
IILA policy development officer Caleb Mbugua said Kenya's current legal framework has a major weakness.
"Without a mandatory 2g/100g threshold, regulatory bodies cannot legally penalise producers for high trans-fat content, citizens remain unprotected and an uneven playing field prevents the systematic removal of toxic fats from the food supply."
The institute is calling for amendments to the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances (Food Labelling, Additives and Standards) Regulations, 2015, to align Kenya with WHO best practices.
The report notes that several African countries have already taken action on trans fats, including South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria.
