Implementation Strategy Workshop of TRANSFORM Project for Transfat Elimination in Punjab and Chandigarh & Pre-Consultation Workshop SHIFT -Translate: Phase 3 under Healthy Oil SHIFT(Supporting Healthy oils & Fats to replace Trans fats)consortium
Date: 8th September, 2026
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and accounts for nearly 32% of all deaths worldwide & three-quarters of these deaths are occurring in low- and middle-income countries like India. Heart attacks, represented in the Chandigarh NCD Registry as acute cardiac events, constitute a substantial component of the NCD burden in Chandigarh. Data from the Chandigarh NCD Registry for July 2018–December 2021 showed that acute cardiac events constituted 27.7% of all registered NCD cases among Chandigarh residents. Unhealthy dietary practices, including the consumption of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (trans fats), are among the key modifiable risk factors contributing to the burden of CVDs.The elimination of industrially produced trans fats from the food supply is recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions for reducing CVD-related morbidity and mortality. Since trans fats are not required for health and healthier alternatives are available, their elimination is an important public health priority. In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has limited trans-fatty acids to not more than 2% by mass of the total oils and fats present in food products.
In response to this pressing public health challenge, the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Government of Punjab, Chandigarh Administration, and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), India, is implementing the Healthy Futures with Trans Fatty Acid Reduction and State Optimization Reform Model (TRANSFORM) Project in Punjab and Chandigarh. This project aims to translate national and global commitments on trans-fat elimination into strengthened state-level implementation through improved regulatory capacity, laboratory systems, compliance assessment, monitoring, reporting and promotion of healthier oils. The project uses the CLEARS Framework, focusing on Capacity Building, Laboratory Strengthening, Enforcement of Trans-Fat Policies, Assessment of Compliance, Reporting of Compliance, and Support for Healthier Oils. Through these components, TRANSFORM seeks to strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders, improve trans-fat testing and surveillance, assess compliance with existing food safety standards, support enforcement and reporting mechanisms, and facilitate the transition towards healthier fats and oils.
As part of this initiative, PGIMER is organizing an Implementation Strategy Workshop of the TRANSFORM project in Punjab and Chandigarh” on 8 September 2026 at the Advanced Eye Centre Auditorium, PGIMER, Chandigarh. The workshop will bring together representatives from food safety and regulatory authorities, government departments, laboratories, academia, research institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to discuss the current status of trans-fat elimination and develop practical strategies for strengthening implementation in Punjab and Chandigarh.
In addition, PGIMERis implementingSHIFT Consortium—Supporting Healthy Oils & Fatsto Replace Trans Fats—established at PGIMER under the leadership of Prof. JS Thakuris now progressing towards its thirdphase, SHIFT Translate, with a focus on translating evidence and consensus into implementation,policy and practice. This workshop will also serve as a pre-consultation meeting under SHIFT, bringing together national stakeholders to share experiences, discuss key priorities and explore strategies for promoting the transition towards healthier oils in India. The deliberations from this meeting will provide important inputs for the National Consultation Meeting planned for later this year.
The workshop will include technical sessions on the TRANSFORM Project and trans-fat elimination, group discussions on data collection and laboratory strategies a panel discussion on trans fats and cardiovascular diseases, and the SHIFT Translate Pre-Consultation Workshop with national stakeholders.The technical programme will begin with an overview of the TRANSFORM Project and its scope of work, followed by discussions on experiences from trans-fat elimination initiatives in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and the current status and challenges of trans-fat testing in Punjab and Chandigarh. The workshop will further include group work focusing on data collection from Punjab and Chandigarh and development of a laboratory strategy for trans-fat testing, with participation from food safety authorities, scientific institutions, laboratories and technical experts. The group discussions will provide an opportunity to identify implementation gaps and develop actionable strategies for strengthening trans-fat monitoring and enforcement.
The Inaugural Session will be addressed by senior representatives from national and state-level institutions.Shri Kumar Rahul, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Punjab; Shri Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Home Secretary-cum-Commissioner, Food Safety, Chandigarh; Ms. Kanwalpreet Brar, IAS, Commissioner, Food Safety (Food & Drug Administration), Punjab; Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Dean (Research), PGIMER, Chandigarh; Shri Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Dr. Swati Bharadwaj, Senior Technical Advisor, Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) India, have been invited.The workshop will also feature a panel discussion on “Role of Trans Fats in Cardiovascular Disease and Strategies for their Prevention, Reduction and Elimination from the Food Supply.” The discussion will bring together experts from cardiology, nutrition, healthier oils, food safety, the edible oil sector and public health to deliberate on the health implications of trans fats and practical approaches for their prevention, reduction and elimination from the food supply.
The pre-consultation workshop brings together experts from leading national institutions and organizations with expertise in public health, nutrition, food technology, biomedical research, and food safety. The consortium members include Dr. Swati Bhardwaj, Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), India; Dr. Ahamed Ibrahim, ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad; Dr. Usharani Dandamudi, CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru; Dr. Alka Rao, CSIR–Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTech), Chandigarh; Dr. Rajni Chopra, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli, Haryana and Dr. Virender Sardana, Baba Farid Group of Institutions, Bathinda The multidisciplinary consortium provides technical and scientific expertise to support evidence-based approaches for reducing and eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids from the food supply and strengthening healthy food systems.
Healthy Edible Oil Consortium (SHIFT) is transforming the edible oil landscape at National level and will promote implementation research model on trans-fat elimination for state of Punjab and Chandigarh administration.
*Prof. JS Thakur*
Professor, Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health
Principal Investigator, TRANSFORM Project and SHIFT Consortium PGIMER, Chandigarh
