By Chukwuma Muanya and Sunday Aikulola
Worried by the rising cases of cardiovascular diseases in the country, especially hypertension, the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), cardiologists and nutritionists have advocated review of national guidelines for food production.
They expressed concerns over a World Health Organisations (WHO) report that 76.2 million Nigerians are living with hypertension, which poses the highest cardiovascular disease burden.
cardiovascular disease burden.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths globally. An estimated 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2019, of which 85 per cent were due to heart attacks and strokes. Eliminating trans fat is seen as an easy way to reduce the numbers.
The experts led by the NHF have also bowed to pressure by the WHO, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to readjust safety limit for foods containing palm oil derivatives/ Saturated Fatty Acids (SAFAs).
Source: The Guardian
