The Ministry of Human Resources has issued a decree regulating the content of trans fats in foods, Minister of State for Health Miklós Szócska said in Budapest on Wednesday, adding that a public awareness campaign on the harmful effects of such ingredients will also be launched.

The consumption of trans-fatty acids, or trans fats, has been proven to increase the risk of heart disease. According to available data, the average daily intake of trans fats by the Hungarian adult population exceeds the amount recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The new regulation, which came into effect from 18 February, bans the distribution of products containing more than 2 grams of trans fats per 100 grams of their total fat content. It also stipulates a grace period of one year for pre-packaged foods which were produced prior to the legislation. The legislation covers oils, fats and fat emulsions produced for consumer consumption both on their own or as ingredients of other food products; however, it does not cover trans fats naturally occurring in fats of animal origin.

Péter Ofner, Director of the Hungarian Institute of Cardiology, said that the harmful effects of trans fats have been researched for fifty years, and studies have shown that they raise cholesterol levels significantly. He also highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns as mere regulations are not always sufficient in reducing people's consumption of trans fat as much as possible.

The prevention of cardiovascular diseases is one of the Hungarian Government’s main objectives. In order to prevent chronic diseases, major nutritional risk factors, including the intake of trans fats and smoking, need to be regulated. In addition to the present decree, on 1 January 2012, the amendment of the Act on the protection of non-smokers entered into force, introducing stricter requirements for smoking, i.e., except for a few special cases, smoking indoors in public areas as well as in certain outdoor areas was banned. As a result, fewer and fewer people are exposed to the harmful effects of passive smoking.

In recognition of the Government's non-smoking initiatives, UN World Health Organisation’s Director-General presented Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with the World No Tobacco Day 2013 in October 2013.

(Ministry of Human Resources)