7 November

2013 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that partially hydrogenated oil, the primary source of trans fats in processed foods, are no longer on the generally recognised as safe list (GRAS) . Although the consumption of trans fat is in constant decline during the last two decades, they still remain a public health problem. The FDA believes that a further reduction in trans fat can prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths annually.

The consumption of trans fat raises LDL lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Trans fats have no health advantage, and there is no safe level of intake.

In the U.S. food manufacturers have voluntarily reduced trans fats in foods. They are mainly found in processed foods, desserts, microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, margarine and non-dairy creamers. Trans fat content must be shown on the nutrition labels in US since 2006. In 2003 Americans consumed 4.6 grams of trans fat per day, and in 2012 the number dropped to 1 gram of trans fat per day.

The FDA has announced that hydrogenated oils will be treated as food additives, and will not be allowed for use in food unless approved by special regulation.

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