Effects of Trans Fatty Acid Decreasing Policy on Its Consumption by Households in Six Provinces of Iran

High intakes of saturated and trans fatty acids can increase risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Therefore, removal of partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils containing trans fatty acids has been suggested as one of the most effective health interventions. The aim of the current study was to investigate the policy effects of decreasing trans fatty acids in partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils as well as increasing intakes of unsaturated fatty acids through the introduction of novel products into the market and assessing the averages intake of saturated and trans fatty acids by households of capital cities in West Azerbaijan, Fars, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Semnan and South Khorasan Provinces.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on households in capitals of six provinces. Data were collected from the begging of May to the end of July 2014 using telephone interviews. Information on the types of fats and oils used for cooking as well as the purchase pattern and their quantities were collected using questionnaires. Fatty acid profiles of the consumed fats and oils were investigated as well.

The commonly consumed oils in the provinces included partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils, blended oils and frying oils. These oils included more than 70% of the total oil intakes. Furthermore, the average intakes of oils and fats per capita in the provinces were ordinarily West Azerbaijan, Khuzestan, Lorestan, South Khorasan and Fars. Intakes of trans fatty acids ranged from 0.32 in Fars to 0.67 g/person/day in West Azerbaijan. Results of this study showed that quantity of the trans fatty acids in partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils  has decreased by 95%, compared to that in previous decade. Moreover, consumption of partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils by households has decreased by 45%, compared to that in the last decade.

Effective policies, reformulations of oils and decreasing of trans fatty acids in partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils have included positive and effective changes, which have led to improve quality of fats and oils consumed by the households.