Kenya misses WHO honour due to gaps in trans fat regulation
Trans fats are known to clog arteries and raise the risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease.
Kenya’s legal framework to regulate industrially produced trans fats faces a major hurdle due to the absence of specified limits, making it difficult to enforce laws designed to protect public health.
While other countries have moved forward with clear rules and strong monitoring, Kenya’s current regulations remain ineffective in curbing the risks linked to trans fats.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently recognised Austria, Norway, Oman, and Singapore for successfully eliminating industrial trans fats from their food supplies.
These countries implemented strict policies alongside robust enforcement systems that ensure compliance.
Kenya, despite having Legal Notice No. 115 of 2015 under the Food, Drugs, and Chemical Substances Act (CAP 254), is yet to meet these standards because the law does not clearly define allowable trans fat levels.
Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, highlighted the dangers of trans fats at the 78th World Health Assembly, saying, "Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is one of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Trans fats are a major contributor to preventable deaths each year, particularly due to their impact on heart health."
Trans fats are known to clog arteries and raise the risk of heart attacks and coronary heart disease.
Each year, more than 278,000 deaths worldwide are linked to these fats, which are found in many processed foods, including baked goods, margarine, fried foods, and cooking oils like Vanaspati ghee.
The WHO first called for the global elimination of industrial trans fats seven years ago. At that time, only 11 countries had strong policies in place.
Today, nearly 60 countries cover almost half the world’s population with such regulations. These policies go beyond legislation—they require active monitoring and enforcement to ensure manufacturers comply with safety limits.
Locally, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) has been campaigning for Kenya to adopt clear, mandatory limits on industrial trans fats.
Gideon Ogutu, IILA’s programme officer for health governance, said, "There is need to reduce the burden of NCDs. We are advocating for the inclusion of specified limits in the legal notice. As it stands, without these limits, it is not implementable."
If proposals from a technical committee are adopted, edible oil producers in Kenya will be required to restrict trans fat content to two grammes per 100 grammes.
This move is expected to improve enforcement and help protect Kenyans from preventable heart diseases caused by trans fats.
