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How Ecuador is fighting to keep industrial trans fats off the food shelf

Illustration: How Ecuador is fighting to keep industrial trans fats off the food shelf
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Ecuador is pushing to strengthen its rules around industrial trans fats, as public health advocates, researchers and government representatives gathered in Quito in early September 2026 to assess what has been achieved and what still needs to be done. The meetings, spread across three days, brought together civil society groups, universities and health institutions to discuss the link between these fats and rising rates of noncommunicable diseases, which now account for more than 76 percent of deaths in the country.

The health case against industrial trans fats

Industrial trans fats are created primarily through a process called partial hydrogenation, in which hydrogen is added to liquid oils to make them solid or semi-solid. The resulting partially hydrogenated oils are used in a range of processed foods, including margarines, baked goods, spreads and some fried products, largely to alter texture and increase shelf life. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 278,000 deaths worldwide each year are linked to the consumption of these fats, which are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. In the Americas alone, the Pan American Health Organization has cited a figure of more than 150,000 related deaths annually, with a significant share occurring prematurely.

Advocates at the meetings stressed that access to healthier food options is shaped by factors beyond individual choice, including income, geographic location and the marketing of cheaper processed products. They argued that policy-level action offers broader protection than advice directed at consumers alone, since it would apply to the entire population regardless of personal circumstances.

Where Ecuador’s regulation stands

Ecuador introduced limits on trans fats through a ministerial agreement that set a maximum of two grams per 100 grams of fat, in line with WHO recommendations. The rule applies to oils, fats and margarines sold directly, as well as ingredients used by food industries and food service operators. However, campaigning organizations have identified several gaps, including:

  • No explicit coverage of all final processed food products
  • No outright ban on partially hydrogenated oils
  • Limited detail on inspection procedures, laboratory protocols or public reporting of results

Groups involved in the campaign are calling for the regulation to be extended and for monitoring mechanisms to be put in place so that compliance can be verified. Several other countries in the Americas, including Canada, the United States, Brazil and Peru, have already adopted more comprehensive policies in this area.

This article is adapted from “How Ecuador is fighting to keep industrial trans fats off the food shelf” published by Global Voices, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Changes were made. Read the original story at the link above.

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