The Department of Health has ruled that as from 17 August, the sale, manufacture or importing of foodstuffs containing partially hydrogenated fats and oils will be prohibited. According to the department, all food products can only contain less than two grams non-ruminant trans-fats (or industrially manufactured trans-fats) per 100 grams of fat.
In a bid to diminish the risks associated with coronary heart disease and obesity in South Africa, Pick n Pay announced it had ensured its food products would comply with the Department of Health’s regulations relating to trans-fat foodstuffs.
The Department of Health also plans to introduce legislation to lower the salt content of food. According to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the South African diet has been shown to be very high in salt, often associated to high blood pressure.
