In March 2025, Pakistan marked a major public health milestone by passing a best practice policy eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) across all foods and fats.
Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) are harmful fats that significantly increase the risk of heart disease and other non-communicable diseases. This Pakistan standard represents a critical step toward reducing these health risks across the population. This achievement followed collaborative efforts by Pakistan civil society partners—the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA) and Heartfile. The campaign, which initiated with Heartfile years prior, reflects a journey of perseverance, strategic planning and coalition-building to secure a healthier food environment, ensuring that all Pakistanis have access to safer, healthier options free from harmful substances like iTFAs.
The path to this policy win reached a critical milestone in June 2023 when iTFA standards were introduced for six food products in Pakistan. Although a step forward, these initial standards covered a large portion of the food supply but left out several key product categories high in iTFA including street foods. Recognizing this as an opportunity to build momentum, CPDI, Heartfile and PYCA, along with other partners, like the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) worked at the national and provincial levels to advance broader and more comprehensive coverage. As a result, the September 2024 regulation expanded the scope to 58 categories, bringing the policy closer to, but still short of, the global best practice of a single standard covering all foods.
CPDI played a pivotal role in advancing regulatory progress by engaging with policymakers, regulators and legislators. They worked with key ministries both at federal and provincial level, conducted workshops with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and organized media training sessions to amplify their efforts. Notably, CPDI successfully leveraged momentum within the Prime Minister’s and President’s Office to direct PSQCA and the Ministry of Science and Technology, accelerating progress toward stronger iTFA regulatory standards.
Meanwhile, PYCA focused on youth and media engagement to build public and political support for iTFA standards. Leveraging youth voices was crucial, given that 64 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 30. Their initiatives included youth-led projects, capacity-building workshops and outreach to celebrities such as an Olympic gold medalist, top actors and influential journalists. Through podcasts, op-eds and webinars, PYCA mobilized public awareness and policy support while building a coalition called "Transform Pakistan." The coalition helped align provincial food authorities, health professionals and food technologists in the push for comprehensive iTFA standards.
GHAI provided critical technical assistance by equipping partners with training on digital communication and countering industry interference. Civil society partners expanded their coalition to include strong voices such as UNICEF, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, the World Health Organization, the NCD Alliance, Resolve To Save Lives and the Pakistan National Heart Association as well.
The journey was not without challenges. PSQCA’s regulatory pathways were complex, and industry interference hindered progress. However, persistent efforts led to significant achievements, including the establishment of a food testing lab in Punjab to strengthen enforcement. By engaging PSQCA’s technical committees and National Standards Committee, sensitizing provincial food authorities and leveraging media and coalition voices, the partners overcame these barriers.
From incremental wins to comprehensive reform, this journey underscores the power of coalition-building, strategic planning and persistence in driving transformative policy change. This achievement is not just a win for public health in Pakistan but also a model for countries worldwide striving to eliminate industrially produced trans fatty acids. By creating healthier food environments, the Pakistani Government has taken a significant step toward protecting its population from non-communicable diseases and setting a powerful precedent for comprehensive food policy reform.
