Say goodbye to trans fats in Mexico

In February 2023, the federal government of Mexico approved article 216 bis of the General Law regarding the regulation of trans fatty acids or trans fats, which states that the trans fatty acids and trans fats added in edible products must not exceed 2% of their total content. This legal action will come into effect on September 20 of this year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trans fats are so harmful to health that they contribute to the death of up to 13,000 Mexicans each year and approximately 500,000 people worldwide.  This initiative aims to improve the health of Mexicans by encouraging them to consume healthier foods. What are trans fats? Trans fats are produced when food manufacturers convert liquid oils into solid fats. These generate chemical properties within processed foods that increase blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease and other serious health issues such as diabetes. You might also be interested in: High-fat foods good for you There are natural trans fats, which are produced in the intestines of some animals, and artificial trans fats, which arise from industrial processes in which hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oils to solidify them. In addition to being cheaper, trans fats have a longer shelf life, allowing people to reuse them several times, for example, for continuously frying foods. For a healthier Mexico According to Francisco Acosta Santiago, a public affairs consultant, the Mexican diet is based on foods with high caloric content, so this food reform arises from WHO recommendations but must also be accompanied by a healthier routine, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and nutritional education. Some of the foods that may contain trans fats and will be regulated include cakes, cookies, pies, vegetable shortening, microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, french fries, donuts, fried chicken, sauces, coffee cream, among others. You might also be interested in: 10 healthy recipes without fat If you are looking to have a healthier lifestyle, here are some easy recipes you can make with little fat and many nutritious foods that will positively impact your health. Cucumber rolls filled with tuna salad Zucchini soup with poblano pepper Green fish with garlic sauce Healthy capirotada