CPDI Urges Ban on PHOs to Combat Obesity Crisis in Pakistan
Sidra Arif
ISLAMABAD, In observance of World Obesity Day 2026, the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has issued a formal call for the Government of Pakistan to implement an immediate, comprehensive ban on Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs). As a primary source of industrially produced trans fatty acids, PHOs are increasingly recognized as a significant driver of the nation’s rising obesity rates and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.
The pervasive use of PHOs in processed foods, commercially prepared snacks, and baked goods has created a food environment that undermines public health efforts. Because industrial trans fats produced through these oils offer no nutritional benefit, their continued presence in the food supply accelerates the onset of chronic illnesses, creating an immense burden on both individual families and the national healthcare infrastructure. CPDI emphasizes that this is not merely a matter of lifestyle choice, but a systemic issue rooted in the current food environment.
Childhood obesity, in particular, has become an urgent concern, as children are frequently exposed to low-cost, ultra-processed items laden with harmful fats. Early consumption of these ingredients significantly increases the risk of lifelong health complications, making the elimination of PHOs a critical step in safeguarding future generations. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has long recommended the global removal of industrially produced trans fats as a cost-effective public health intervention, Pakistan's current regulations—which cap trans fats at 2%—are viewed by advocates as insufficient.
"Obesity is not simply about lifestyle choices; it is largely shaped by the food environment," stated Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI. He asserted that as long as PHOs remain in the food supply, broader efforts to prevent heart disease and curb obesity will remain incomplete. Consequently, CPDI is advocating for a strictly enforced, total ban on these oils, framing the measure as both a regulatory obligation and a moral responsibility to protect vulnerable populations.
For the past three years, CPDI has been at the forefront of the movement to remove industrially produced trans fatty acids from Pakistan’s food system. The organization remains committed to influencing public policy through research-based advocacy, urging the government to move beyond existing standards and adopt sustained, aggressive measures to eliminate PHOs, thereby creating a safer and healthier food landscape for all citizens.
