AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
More than 115 global experts in agriculture, nutrition and food policy have warned that a proposed United Nations declaration to eliminate trans-fatty acids from global diets could inadvertently harm the health and nutrition of the world’s poorest people.
In an open letter to UN negotiators, the experts called for a clear distinction between industrially produced trans fats, known to contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the naturally occurring trans fats found in milk, meat, and other animal-source foods, which they say are not harmful in small amounts and may even have health benefits.
The letter was coordinated by the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and endorsed by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). It also drew support from representatives of the UN Committee on World Food Security, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples (WAMIP).
“The risk of a blanket commitment to eliminate all trans-fatty acids is that it unnecessarily discourages the consumption of highly nutritious dairy, meat, and other animal-source foods,” the letter stated. “And once again, the burden will fall heaviest on low- and middle-income countries.”
According to the experts, the proposed UN declaration—which is aimed at reducing diet-related NCDs like heart disease and diabetes—fails to distinguish between industrial trans fats created during food processing and those found naturally in small quantities in animal products. They argue that while the former are harmful, the latter may help prevent conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition expert Dr. Namukolo Covic, ILRI’s Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia, emphasized the importance of safeguarding access to nutrient-rich foods in developing regions. “A single glass of milk is among the most affordable, nutrient-rich foods available. Milk has been shown to reduce stunting in children and lessen the burden of hunger,” she said.
The concerns come at a time when Africa is grappling with high rates of malnutrition. In 2023, one in five Africans faced hunger, and about one-third of children under five suffered from stunting. Experts say dairy and meat offer critical sources of protein and micronutrients—including vitamins A and B12, calcium, zinc, and iodine—especially in early childhood.
“Average annual milk consumption in some developing countries is as low as 1kg per person. Yet a child who drinks milk daily can grow up to three per cent more in a month than one who doesn’t,” the letter noted.
Professor Ruth Oniang’o, a food science expert and editor of the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, called for a “nuanced approach” in the UN resolution. “The contribution of animal-source foods to trans-fatty acids is very low compared to industrially derived trans fats and should be weighed against their nutritional benefits, even in small quantities,” she said.
The draft resolution is currently under review and expected to be presented for endorsement at the UN General Assembly in September. In the lead-up, member states will convene in New York from July 14 to 23 for the High-Level Political Forum to assess progress on Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).
