Food Group Seeks Continued Use of Artificial Trans Fats

On August 5, 2015, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) petitioned the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow the continued use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) for food products in specific low-levels.

The petition comes as a response to the FDAs June 16, 2015 regulatory change of PHO, removing it from the designation of “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for use in human food, to making PHO a food additive.  Under the food additive designation, each product containing any level of PHOs would need to be petitioned and approved by the FDA.  The FDA is giving manufacturers three years to phase out the ingredient, by June 18, 2018, or to petition the FDA for approval. 

In the submitted petition, GMA states that low-level use of PHOs meet the requirements for "GRAS” foods and that low-level use of PHOs is as safe as naturally occurring trans fats which are in beef, milk and other dairy products.  According to the petition, trans fat can make up 1.5% of an individual’s caloric intake without affecting cholesterol levels. 

If the FDA were to approve the low-level use of PHOs as “GRAS,” any product below the recommended levels would not be required to submit a petition and obtain approval by the FDA.

Written by Katharine Richter - Research Assistant

August 6, 2015

FDA Finalizes Ban on Artificial Trans Fats in Processed Foods

On June 16, 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized the determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are not “generally recognized as safe or GRAS for use in human food.” PHOs are the primary source of artificial trans fats in processed foods.

After considering public comments and scientific data, the agency finalized the tentative determination made in 2013. Manufacturers will have three years to comply with the new determination by either reformulating products to remove all PHOs or petitioning the FDA for a specific use of PHOs. After the three year period, PHOs can no longer be added to human food without prior FDA approval.

The ban is aimed at improving the overall heart health of Americans. The FDA expects the action to
“reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.” However, trans fats won’t be completely eliminated from all foods, as they are naturally occurring in meat and dairy products as well as other edible oils.

During the compliance period, the FDA recommends that consumers continue to check nutrition labels and select items that have the lowest amounts of trans fats, as well as checking the ingredients list to ensure the accuracy of a “0 grams trans fat” label.

The determination is open to public comment, and can be found here.

Written by Tyler R. Etter- Research Assistant

June 17, 2015