Ban on use of Trans fat not affect food prices in Thailand

NONTHABURI, THAILAND, July 20 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health says that an official ban on the use of trans-unsaturated fatty acids, or Trans fat, in the country, which will be effective as of January 9, 2019, will not increase food prices on the domestic market. Thai Public Health Minister Dr. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn told journalists of the information, after his meeting with new Mexican Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Jaimes Virgilio Nualart Sanchez at his ministry on the outskirts of Bangkok on July 19. Dr. Piyasakol explained that the ban directly regulate the domestic food industry, where Trans fat must no longer be used in the production of margarine, fried snacks and such fried fast food products as croissant, donut and others. "Consumers in Thailand should not be concerned because the ban will not cover cooking oil used by households, but will only regulate fast food producers in the country not to use Trans fat, which is a leading cause of heart and coronary artery diseases, in their products", the minister stated. "Based on statistics reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), heart and coronary artery diseases are among top deadly diseases in Thailand and other countries worldwide annually and WHO has sought cooperation from member countries on the ban of the use of Trans fat", added the minister. According to the public health minister, producers of many fast food products in Thailand have already replaced Trans fat, in which hydrogen is added, with other vegetable oil that is safe for consumers. The minister stressed that the cuisine change of fast food producers should not boost their costs and sale prices to consumers, suggesting, however, that people look at ingredients of food products they want to buy or consume. The new Mexican top envoy in Bangkok, meanwhile, praised the Thai government for successfully regulating the use of Trans fat and creating well understanding and cooperation from all sectors on the end of Trans fat consumption in the country as of early next year. (TNA)