**CPDI Calls for Immediate Provincial Enforcement of iTFA Limit in Pakistan to Tackle Heart Disease**
The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has urged provincial governments across Pakistan to swiftly implement the newly established limit on industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFAs), set by the Pakistan Standard PS 5642:2025. The standard restricts iTFA content to no more than 2% of total fat in all food products, aiming to combat the country’s growing burden of heart disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In official communications addressed to provincial food authorities and Chief Ministers, CPDI emphasized that the PS 5642:2025 standard, notified by the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), applies to all foods made with edible oils and fats. This includes packaged, processed, ultra-processed, and street-vended products. The only exemption applies to trans fats that naturally occur in animal-based foods such as dairy and meat.
CPDI has called on provincial administrations to issue clear directives mandating compliance across the entire food supply chain—including manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and vendors. The organization highlighted the importance of routine monitoring and testing of food products, transparent food labeling, and the strict enforcement of penalties for non-compliance to ensure the success of the standard.
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, underscored that while notifying the standard was an important milestone, effective and timely enforcement is crucial to achieve tangible public health benefits. “The global health community, including the WHO, recognizes the elimination of iTFAs as a priority public health intervention. We now need our provincial governments to show leadership and align with this global movement to save lives,” he said.
CPDI also reiterated its commitment to support the implementation process by raising public awareness and providing oversight to guarantee transparency and accountability. The organization expressed optimism that decisive action at the provincial level would help reduce the prevalence of NCDs and prevent premature deaths caused by unhealthy dietary practices.
