On December 7, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Third Progress Report on Global Trans Fat Elimination in a virtual high-level event. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2021/12/07/default-calendar/virtual-high-level-event-third-progress-report-on-global-trans-fat-elimination

Link to the report: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/348388

Resolve to Save Lives President and CEO Dr. Tom Frieden and WHO Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus commented on the progress of the REPLACE targets, followed by presentations from country representatives.

Industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) are compounds which are toxic to our cardiovascular health and should be eliminated completely from our food supply.

The Americas is a region with its own commitment to phase out TFAs: in 2019 countries in the region made a unanimous commitment to phase out artificial TFAs by 2023.

The US and Canada have already eliminated the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) which are the main source of industrial TFAs. Other countries in the Americas have also already advanced with specific legislation (in Latin America, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with Mexico as the latest example to advance). However, more countries need to follow with these steps and also efforts monitoring implementation and compliance need to materialize.