RIYADH — While fat is a rich source of energy and one of the main nutrients the body uses to grow and perform vital functions, its frequent consumption is linked to high rates of chronic disease, accounting for approximately 73% of all deaths in the United States. Saudi Arabia. Arabia, according to 2018 World Health Organization statistics.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) published a guide on fats that explains what they are, their benefits to the human body, their sources and types, the difference between saturated, unsaturated and trans fats, and the recommended amount for each.
The SFDA indicated that saturated fats are found mainly in foods of animal origin such as dairy and its derivatives, red meat, chicken skin and butter. Animal-based foods are also found in some plant sources such as palm oil and coconut oil, and frequent consumption of these types of fats is linked to high levels of cholesterol in the body and an increased risk of disease cardiovascular.
The SFDA recommended, throughout the guidance, to choose lower-fat cuts of meat, such as white meat, lean red meat, and low-fat dairy products. It also recommended that individual consumption of saturated fat should not exceed 10% of total daily calories (average 2,000 calories per day), a man’s intake should not exceed 30 grams, and a woman’s intake should not exceed 20 grams of saturated fat per day.
The SFDA stated that unsaturated fats are one of the beneficial fat sources that help lower blood cholesterol, as they work to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and raise the rate of lipoprotein high density (HDL). ), and thus reduce the rate of heart disease.
The consumption of this type of fat must be balanced and not excessive, given the association of high obesity in general with a high consumption of fat. Unsaturated fats are found primarily in plant and fish sources, such as olive oil, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, canola, salmon, and sardines.
The SFDA noted that partially hydrogenated oils are formed through the process of partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils, as this process includes adding hydrogen atoms to the vegetable oil, thus converting it from a liquid to a solid and resulting in a partially hydrogenated oil ( PHO), which is the main source of hydrogenated oils in food products, and studies have shown that this type of fat is linked to many health problems.
Therefore, many countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by SFDA, have taken nutritional policies to prevent the use of these oils in food industries.
SFDA started to reduce trans fats since 2015, after the issuance of the Saudi technical regulation “SFDA. FD 2483”, which stipulates certain limits for trans fats in oils, fats and other food products.
Subsequently, the SFDA conducted a survey of food products in local markets and an analysis of their trans fat content, and through monitoring campaigns, it was found that the percentage of food products that complied with the Saudi technical regulation amounted to approximately 95%. .
In 2020, the SFDA banned the use of PHO, which is the main source of trans fat in food industries. It is one of the most important nutrition strategies through which SFDA seeks to promote public health and protect society.
As a result, SFDA was praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) for being the first country regionally and the 14th globally to implement such a decision. – SPA
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