Ukraine. Zelensky signs law restricting the use of palm oil in food

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law that restricts the use of palm oil in food and bans it from baby food.

This was announced by Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a member of the Ukrainian parliamentary faction Voice.

The document provides for the improvement of legislation in the field of baby food in order to improve the quality of products consumed by children.

In addition, it is necessary to harmonize Ukrainian legislation in the field of baby food with the requirements of the European Union.

The Law contains the following provisions:

• sets the maximum content of trans fatty acids in food products (no more than 2 grams per 100 grams of total fat contained in the food product);
• prohibits the use of palm oil in traditional dairy products;
• prohibits the use of hydrogenated palm oil and other hydrogenated vegetable fats in baby food;
• prohibits the use of hydrogenated palm oil in food products (confectionery: chocolate, ice cream, etc.);
• obliges market operators to provide information on the amount of trans fatty acids in such products when supplying food to other producers;
• introduces clear and understandable labeling of food products containing palm oil.

Palm oil, which is widely used in the food industry, has several potential negative health effects.

According to the World Health Organization, consumption of foods high in saturated fat, including palm oil, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as it contributes to the increase of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood.

In addition, in 2016, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicated that when palm oil is heated to high temperatures, harmful substances such as 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters are formed, which have potentially carcinogenic properties.

As reported, the relevant draft law No. 5148 was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in September 2024.

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Tags: palm oil, legislation, food, restrictions