Islamabad, March 04, 2026 — On World Obesity Day the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) urged the Government of Pakistan to implement an immediate and comprehensive PHO ban to remove industrially produced trans fats from the food supply and help curb rising obesity and non-communicable diseases across the country.
Partially hydrogenated oils remain common in processed foods, baked goods, fried items and commercially prepared snacks, creating a food environment that drives unhealthy weight gain and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic disorders. Regular consumption of products made with PHOs places a heavy financial and health burden on families and strains national health services.
Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, stressed that ‘obesity is not simply about lifestyle choices; it is largely shaped by the food environment. As long as PHOs remain in our food supply, efforts to control obesity and prevent heart disease will remain incomplete.’ He called for a PHO ban accompanied by clear enforcement mechanisms so regulations translate into safer food on store shelves and in restaurants.
Childhood obesity is rising and children are increasingly exposed to low-cost, ultra-processed foods that often contain harmful industrial fats. Early exposure to trans fats increases the likelihood of lifelong obesity and related health complications, making the removal of PHOs a critical step to protect younger generations and create healthier food environments.
The World Health Organization recommends eliminating industrial trans fats, including PHOs, as a cost-effective way to prevent premature deaths and reduce the burden of NCDs. Several countries have enacted strict bans with measurable public health gains. In Pakistan a national standard already limits trans fats to less than 2% of total fat in food products, and CPDI, after three years of advocacy, is pressing for translation of that standard into a full PHO ban and strict enforcement nationwide.
CPDI emphasized that a timely PHO ban is not only a regulatory measure but a moral and economic imperative to protect vulnerable populations. The organisation remains committed to working with government bodies, industry and civil society to ensure removal of PHOs from Pakistan’s food chain and to support implementation actions that will reduce obesity and NCD risks across the country.
