A major source of trans-fat will soon be banned from all pre-packaged foods such as instant noodles, oils and snacks sold here, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Amrin Amin said. Partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) is a kind of artificial trans-fat that is found in pre-packaged products such as oils, snacks, baked foods, prepared meals and fat spreads, Mr Amrin said. Based on consultations with the industry, this is feasible with the use of alternatives such as sunflower and canola oil, which are unsaturated and healthier, the health ministry said in a separate statement. The health ministry will continue consulting industry players and work with relevant agencies to work out how to implement the ban, it added. Citing the World Health Organisation (WHO), Amin noted that artificial trans-fat increases the risk of heart disease and has no known health benefits. Canada, Thailand and the United States have also banned partially hydrogenated oils.

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