The undersecretary for Prevention and Health Promotion, Hugo López-Gatell, held the vote in the Chamber of Deputies. “This measure, along with front-end labeling, will reduce cardiovascular and metabolic prevalence and mortality, since most of the trans fats consumed by Mexicans come from junk products,” he said.
“The Mexican State takes a new important step in addressing the epidemic of non-communicable diseases,” he added.
The #Public health in Mexico celebrates the successful and consistent performance of the @Mx_Diputados by approving by historic unanimity of 472 votes, the reform to eliminate the #Trans fat, of industrial origin, of the alimentary system. 1/3
— Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez (@HLGatell)
February 9, 2023
The ruling adds that the Ministry of Health will establish “the regulatory bases for these industrially produced acids under the terms of this precept.”
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) of the World Health Organization (WHO) congratulated Mexico for the important progress in benefiting health.
#Last minute With 472 votes in favor, 0 against and 0 abstentions, the Plenary approved the opinion that adds article 216 Bis of the General Health Law regarding the regulation of Trans Fatty Acids or Trans Fats. pic.twitter.com/kO8phnNSzI
– Chamber of Deputies (@Mx_Diputados)
February 9, 2023
? We congratulate ?? for this important advance for the benefit of health, the consumption of #Trans fat they have no known benefits and pose enormous health risks; With its elimination, non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease are prevented ? https://t.co/5PMBiP0hGb
— PAHO/WHO Mexico (@OPSOMMSMexico)
February 9, 2023
The voted document states that experts point out that the consumption of trans fats considerably increases the risk of death from any cause by 34% and by coronary heart disease, by 28%.
Also, he adds, non-significant increases of 7 and 10% in the risk of death from ischemic stroke and diabetes, respectively, have been observed.
In substantiating the opinion, the Morenista deputy Joaquín Zebadúa Alva, secretary of the Health Commission, said that since 2019 the WHO and PAHO established the plan to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from processed foods that are marketed in all the Americas and reduce, up to two grams per hundred grams, trans fats.
The deputy pointed out that the WHO estimates that more than 500,000 people die in the world every year due to the consumption of trans fats.
In the Americas, 160,000 people die each year, and according to studies carried out by civil society organizations, in Mexico more than 13,000 people die annually from this cause.
