WHO Honors Four Nations for Eliminating Ddeadly Trans Fats from Food Suply

On May 19, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore for their exemplary efforts in eliminating industrially produced trans fats from their national food supplies. These countries have implemented best-practice policies, including stringent regulations and effective monitoring systems, to protect public health.

Trans fats, commonly found in processed foods like baked goods and fried items, are linked to increased risks of heart disease and are responsible for over 278,000 deaths annually worldwide. The WHO recommends that governments either limit trans fats to 2 grams per 100 grams of total fat in all foods or ban partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of industrial trans fats.

The recognition was announced during the 78th World Health Assembly, highlighting the progress since the WHO’s 2018 call for global elimination of industrial trans fats. At that time, only 11 countries had best-practice policies in place, covering 6% of the global population. As of May 2025, nearly 60 countries have adopted such policies, now covering 46% of the global population.

This milestone underscores the importance of policy-driven initiatives in combating non-communicable diseases and sets a precedent for other nations to follow in promoting healthier food environments.

For more details, you can read the full WHO news release here: WHO recognizes four countries with life-saving trans fat elimination policies.