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By Lenah Bosibori
Nairobi, Kenya: The International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) has called for an urgent regulation of industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFAs) in Kenya, warning that stronger action could save thousands of lives and reduce the country’s growing burden of heart disease.
The call comes just days after the world marked World Heart Day on 29 September under the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat – Global Action for Heart Health.” The theme highlights the urgent need for prevention strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease, one of the fastest-rising health threats in Kenya.
“Regulating industrial trans fats is one of the most impactful steps Kenya can take right now to protect heart health. The evidence shows it will save thousands of lives, reduce the burden of disease, and deliver significant cost savings to our health system, as read in part of the ILLA statement.
“Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) now account for about 25% of hospital admissions and 13% of deaths in the country. In 2024 alone, Kenyan health facilities recorded 7,478 CVD-related deaths, making it one of the top three causes of mortality,” read part of the statement.
A 2023 study by The George Institute for Global Health and IILA, published in BMJ Global Health, shows that regulating iTFAs could have dramatic health and economic benefits:
- Implementation would cost approximately KES 940 million, shared between the government and industry.
- A national rule limiting unhealthy artificial trans fats in food could prevent approximately 2,000 deaths and 17,000 new cases of heart disease over ten years.
- In return, the health system could save more than KES 4.1 billion in treatment costs.
- Over the lifetime of the current population, the policy could save 50,000 lives and prevent more than 100,000 new cases of cardiovascular disease.
“These findings confirm that regulating industrial trans fats is not just a health measure, it is a cost-saving investment for Kenya,” IILA said in a statement.
Kenya has made progress in addressing non-communicable diseases and building healthier food environments. By adopting WHO-recommended standards on iTFAs, Kenya would join the growing list of countries implementing best-practice policies under the WHO’s REPLACE initiative, which calls for eliminating industrial trans fats from the global food supply.
“Regulating industrial trans fats is one of the most impactful steps Kenya can take right now to protect heart health,” IILA noted. “The evidence shows it will save lives, reduce the burden of disease, and deliver significant cost savings.”
IILA has been working closely with policymakers to strengthen Kenya’s food safety regulations, including amendments to the Food Labelling, Additives and Standards Regulations of 2015. The organization is urging the government to set a clear national limit of no more than 2 grams of iTFA per 100 grams of total fat in all foods and to ban partially hydrogenated oils entirely.
“On this World Heart Day, we commend the government for progress already made and call for sustained leadership to fast-track iTFA regulations. Protecting Kenyans from preventable heart disease will not only save lives but also safeguard the economy,” IILA said in a statement.
