- By: Shahid Ali Tareen
Pakistan is seeing increasing momentum towards a prohibition of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) the major source of industrially manufactured trans-fatty acids (iTFAs) in foodstuffs, as public health advocates, youth groups, and non-governmental organizations maximize pressure on policymakers to move against this silent public health menace. Though the nation has made progress with regulation of iTFAs in several food categories, a complete legislative prohibition on PHOs remains unadopted.
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be among the top causes of death in Pakistan, with over 240,000 deaths from coronary heart disease in 2020 alone, as reported by the World Health Organization. Several studies have established a definitive link between the intake of iTFAs and elevated heart disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases risk. These trans fats are used extensively in the food sector, appearing in vanaspati ghee, bakery items, margarine, and fried foods items enjoyed daily by millions of Pakistanis.
Partially hydrogenated oils are used as the major industrial input for creating trans fats in packaged foods. In spite of known health hazards, these oils are legally manufactured and consumed in Pakistan. Though the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has fixed the limits of up to 2 grams of iTFAs per 100 grams of total fat in a number of food groups, public health professionals and civil society organizations say this measure is inadequate without removing the source PHOs.
Organizations like the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), Heartfile, and international public health organization Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) have been leading the advocacy cause. These organizations closely collaborate with food authorities in all provinces, advocate with policymakers, conduct consultations, and reach out to the public through campaigns and media engagement.Their common objective is evident: to advocate for an outright legislative prohibition of PHOs within the framework of WHO’s REPLACE action plan.
A top-level consultation in Islamabad in early 2025 pooled leading stakeholders from provincial food authorities, civil society, and public health experts. The overwhelming conclusion at the meeting was that Pakistan needs to go beyond trans-fat level restrictions and eliminate PHOs entirely. Delegates from the Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad food authorities supported a legislative step, accepting the imperative for swift action to protect public health.
Farah Athar, Punjab Food Authority’s Deputy Director of Standards, emphasized that industrial trans fats are the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases, and legislative prohibition of PHOs is necessary to save citizens and ease the burden on the healthcare system. Likewise, Afshar Iqbal, PYCA’s Director of Communications, reiterated that international evidence indicates an alarming decline in the incidence of heart disease in nations that have prohibited PHOs, with an emphasis that Pakistan should also do the same.
KPK Food Authority’s Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah labelled the scenario “dire” and warned that the health crisis cannot be resolved without cutting off PHOs from the food supply chain. Islamabad Food Authority’s Dr. Tahira Siddique reconfirmed institutional backing for any future legislative procedure, labeling the ban a “common cause” for all provinces.
Yet, daunting challenges still exist. Technological capacity limitations, particularly in provinces such as Balochistan, impede frequent monitoring and enforcement. Naqeeb Ullah, the Balochistan Food Authority’s Deputy Director Technical,pointed out that still high amounts of trans fats are being found in regulated food samples, indicating the necessity to remove PHO use at its source.
Young people’s advocacy has also been crucial. The “Transform Pakistan” movement, led by young activists, has used podcasts, social media, op-eds, and community mobilization to sensitize people about trans fats and advocate for stricter regulation. With almost two-thirds of the population of Pakistan below the age of 30, this generation has become a driving force behind public health advocacy.
While there has not yet been a formal prohibition of PHOs in Pakistan, the combined efforts of civil society, regulatory advocates, and youth coalitions are putting pressure on lawmakers to move forward. The future of the country will rest with how well these stakeholders can keep the initiative going, get legislative support, and make the industry comply. While the global fight against trans fats intensifies, the next move in Pakistan could be a turning point in safeguarding the health of citizens.