Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), in commemoration of Valentine’s day held a road-walk to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers linked to the consumption of Trans-Fatty acids.
The events which held in Lagos, saw stakeholders sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of consuming trans-fatty acid as they walked from Allen roundabout down to Ikeja Bus-stop.
The sensitisation walk according to CAPPA was an avenue to engage the media, to advocate and sensitise the public for an ‘inter-generational conversation’ via different platforms.
During the road-walk, the organisation tasked stakeholders to impound more pressure on the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria to hasten the passage of the ‘Fats and Oils Regulations, 2020’ into law.
It further explained that the quick passage of the regulation will save Nigerians from needless cardiovascular diseases resulting from the consumption of Trans-Fat oils.
Speaking during the walk, Akinbode Oluwafemi the Executive Director of CAPPA reiterated the need for the quick passage of the Fats and Oils Regulations, 2020’ into law.
“We are out on a special day like this to educate Nigerians on the dangers of Trans-Fatty foods. One way or the other, we consume fats and oil in our diets and most importantly, the oil used in cooking, which sometimes we re-use and this could lead to heart diseases,” Oluwafemi said.
“It will also do us a lot of good if the governing agencies involved in ensuring the laws are passed like the health ministry and NAFDAC ensure these regulations become law so that Nigerians could be well informed about the dangers. The manufacturing companies will also have no other option than to adhere strictly to the law.”
On his part, Dr Francis Fagbale public health professional with the University College teaching hospital Ibadan told Nigerians to protect their heart by reducing their consumption of food items containing trans-fat.
Highlighting that sensitisation was not enough, Mr Fagbile also called for immediate passage of the regulation that will reduce the regulation of food items containing trans-fatty acid.
Trans-Fat arises from a process where regular or liquid vegetable oil is converted into solid fats while passing it through hydrogen. It increases the bad cholesterol and lowers the good cholesterol in the body which could lead to cardiovascular and heart-related diseases.
The World Health organisation (WHO) has declared that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of deaths globally with an estimate of 17.9million people said to have died in 2020.