DILI,11 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The Representative of the World Health Organization ( WHO) in Timor-Leste, Arvind Mathur, recommends Timor-Leste Government create the nutrition label in Tetun and Portugues language in order to help consumers identify the trans fats from food importation to prevent the diabetes in Timor – Leste.
“We see that all nutrition labels in Timor-Leste are written in different languages such as China language, English, and others language so it’s very difficult for consumers to identify the trans fats from food before consumption, The government’s Ministry of Health needs to create the nutrition label in the official language of Portugues and Tetun to help Timorese consumers identify their foods and prevent diabetes in Timor -Leste,” said the Arvind Marthur to TATOLI at his office of UN House Obrigado Barak Cai-Coli Dili.
Marthur explained many Timorese continue to face various diseases including diabetes because Timor-Leste still has no nutrition labels, therefore the creation of nutrition labels in the local language is very crucial in order when the consumer buys the food prior to checking the trans fats from food percentage for preventing the chronic disease and diabetes and automatically will reduce the patient in the hospital.
WHO also recommends the Government create food laws and food safety regulations to regulate nutritious food to ensure public health in Timor-Leste.
“Timor-Leste does not have food laws and food safety regulations, therefore WHO recommended to the Government to create a food law to ensure the quality of food in Timor-Leste,” he concluded.
A Nutrition Facts label lists the nutritional content, the serving size, and the calories for a recommended serving of a food product. This helps consumers make the best decision on how much to eat, maybe when they want to eat this food, or how they can better balance their food choices throughout the day.
Trans fat, also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids, or trans fatty acids, is a type of unsaturated fat that occurs in foods. Trace concentrations of trans fats occur naturally, but large amounts are found in some processed foods.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B.
