UN Debate on Trans Fats and Nutrition in Developing Countries
The United Nations is currently reviewing a draft political declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) ahead of a high-level meeting in September 2025. The draft includes a commitment to eliminate trans-fatty acids from diets worldwide. However, over 100 experts, government officials and business leaders have raised concerns. They argue the declaration risks harming nutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by failing to distinguish between industrial trans fats and naturally occurring trans fats in animal-source foods.
Context of the UN Political Declaration on NCDs
The fourth UN General Assembly high-level meeting on NCDs will focus on preventing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The draft resolution promotes tobacco control, hypertension treatment, mental health care and dietary improvements. It calls for reducing unhealthy diets by eliminating trans fats, lowering saturated fats, sugars and sodium, and improving food labelling and public food policies. The draft aims to protect children from harmful food marketing and promote breastfeeding.
Concerns Over Trans Fat Elimination
Experts warn the draft’s language is inconsistent. While tobacco, alcohol and sugar consumption are to be reduced, trans fats are targeted for complete elimination. This blanket approach does not differentiate between harmful industrial trans fats and naturally occurring trans fats in milk and meat. Scientific evidence shows industrial trans fats are linked to health risks. Naturally occurring trans fats, however, have little evidence of harm and may even have benefits.
Nutrition Importance in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Animal-source foods provide vital nutrients such as vitamins A and B12, calcium, iron, zinc and riboflavin. Many LMICs suffer from undernutrition due to low consumption of milk and meat. For example, average annual milk intake in some countries is as low as 1 kilogram. Studies show children drinking milk daily grow about three per cent more than those who do not. Eliminating all trans fats risks discouraging intake of these nutrient-dense foods, worsening malnutrition.
Call for Policy Nuance and Dietary Diversity
The letter coordinated by the International Livestock Research Institute urges the UN to specify elimination of only industrial trans fats. It stresses moderation rather than exclusion of animal-source foods. The declaration should promote dietary diversity to improve nutrition and reduce NCD risks. Signatories include officials from Nigeria’s Ministry of Livestock Development, the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, and global nutrition and livestock organisations.
Upcoming UN Forums and Sustainable Development Goals
From July 14 to 23, member states will meet at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York to review progress on Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing). The final version of the NCD political declaration is expected later in 2025. The ongoing debate marks the challenge of balancing disease prevention with nutritional needs in diverse global contexts.
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