DAR ES SALAAM, June 17 -- AS Tanzania continues to grapple with the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), health experts are warning that industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFAs), commonly known as trans fats, remain a significant but often overlooked contributor to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses that affect both public health and the national economy.

Trans fats are unsaturated fats mainly found in processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, pastries, fried foods, snacks and some cooking oils.

They are often created through an industrial process known as partial hydrogenation, which extends the shelf life of food products and improves texture.

However, scientific evidence has consistently linked t...