The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) has announced the enforcement of new regulations on hydrogenated fats, effective from early May. This move aims to enhance public health, reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, and align Kuwait with global health standards.

Regulations to Curb Chronic Diseases

Alignment with International Standards

Dr. Shaima Al-Asfour, Deputy Director General for Community Nutrition Affairs at PAFN, stated during a recent press conference that such regulations are not new globally. European nations have implemented similar measures since 2017, and some neighboring countries have also adopted these practices.

Dr. Al-Asfour emphasized that eliminating industrial trans fats from the Kuwaiti market will help improve individuals’ quality of life and reduce the financial burden on the national healthcare system.

Key Objectives of the Regulation

• Imported Product Testing: Ensuring no imported goods containing hydrogenated fats enter the Kuwaiti market.
• Public Education: Promoting awareness about food selection and reading labels.
• Strict Enforcement: Conducting thorough laboratory tests to detect and eliminate hydrogenated oils from the food supply chain.

Technical Specifications for Compliance

Thresholds for Trans Fats in Food

Dr. Al-Asfour outlined the following specifications:

• Fully Hydrogenated Oils: Trans fat content must be under 2% of total fats in products for final consumption.
• Natural Trans Fats: Content should not exceed 8% unless otherwise stated in the product’s specifications.
• Refined Oils: Trans fat content must be below 2% in consumer products.
• Infant Milk: Per GSO 2106 technical regulation, trans fat content must not exceed 3% in infant and specialized milk products.

What Are Hydrogenated Fats?

Hydrogenated fats are industrially produced unsaturated fats created by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils. While these fats increase product shelf life, they pose significant health risks.

Enforcement and Penalties

Inspection and Monitoring

Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, Deputy Director General for Control and Inspection Affairs at PAFN, confirmed that inspection tours will be conducted in central markets, restaurants, and companies across all governorates.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Violators of the regulations face the following consequences:

• Fines ranging from KD 500 to KD 1,000.
• Removal of non-compliant products from the market.
• Suspension or closure of facilities, with unresolved cases referred to the Public Prosecution.

PAFN’s Vision for a Trans Fat-Free Kuwait

Dr. Al-Asfour reiterated PAFN’s commitment to earning international recognition for Kuwait as a country free from hydrogenated fats. The grace period for compliance ends on May 1, after which the regulations will be strictly enforced.