Is hydrogenated oil banned in the US?

December 12, 2025 •

2 min read

In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a final determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) were no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS), effectively banning this specific type of hydrogenated oil in the US food supply. The landmark decision targeted artificial trans fat, a major public health concern linked to heart disease.

Quick Summary

The FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of artificial trans fats, due to health risks. Manufacturers complied by removing PHOs from most foods by early 2021; fully hydrogenated oils, however, are still permitted.

Key Points

Partial is banned, full is not: The FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) due to their high artificial trans fat content, but fully hydrogenated oils (FHOs) are still permitted.
End of GRAS Status: In 2015, the FDA revoked the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) status of PHOs, setting the ban in motion.
Compliance Deadline: The final compliance date for manufacturers to remove PHOs from products was January 1, 2021, effectively eliminating them from the manufactured food supply.
Trace Amounts Still Permitted: The ban does not apply to naturally occurring trans fat in meat and dairy, and products can be labeled "0g trans fat" if they contain less than 0.5 grams per serving.
Health Benefits: The removal of PHOs is estimated to prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths annually by reducing a major risk factor for heart disease.
Replacements: Manufacturers use alternatives like fully hydrogenated oils, palm oil, and non-hydrogenated vegetable oils to replace PHOs.

The FDA's Ban on Partially Hydrogenated Oils: A Closer Look

In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) status of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). This action, based on scientific evidence linking artificial trans fats to increased heart disease risk, is often referred to as a "ban" on hydrogenated oil, specifically targeting the partial form and its high trans fat content.

A Timeline of Action Against Artificial Trans Fat

January 2006: FDA requires trans fat listing on labels.
June 2015: FDA declares PHOs no longer GRAS.
June 2018: Initial compliance date for removing PHOs from most foods.
January 2020 & June 2019: Extensions granted for specific uses and existing products.
January 2021: Final compliance date, effectively eliminating PHOs from manufactured food supply.

Partially vs. Fully Hydrogenated Oil: The Crucial Difference

Hydrogenation adds hydrogen atoms to unsaturated fats, changing liquid oil to semi-solid or solid fat. The extent of this process determines the type of hydrogenated oil.

Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO): Incomplete hydrogenation results in high artificial trans fats. Banned due to health risks.
Fully Hydrogenated Oil (FHO): Complete hydrogenation results in saturated fat with minimal trans fats. Considered safe and not banned.


Feature	Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO)	Fully Hydrogenated Oil (FHO)
Trans Fat Content	High (Primary source of artificial trans fat)	Very Low (Trace amounts only)
State at Room Temp	Semi-solid	Hard, solid
Regulatory Status	Banned for use in the U.S. food supply	Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Health Impact	Significant risk factor for heart disease	Generally considered safe, but high in saturated fat

What This Means for Consumers Today

Even with the ban, consumers should be aware that products with less than 0.5g of trans fat per serving can be labeled "0g trans fat". To be certain, check ingredient lists for "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated". Naturally occurring trans fat in meat and dairy is not banned. Seeing "partially hydrogenated oil" on a label means the product violates FDA rules.

Alternatives to Hydrogenated Oils

Manufacturers have replaced PHOs with alternatives like fully hydrogenated oils, palm oil, palm kernel oil (which are high in saturated fat), and liquid vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower, and olive oil.

The Public Health Impact of the Ban

The FDA's ban on PHOs is considered a major public health achievement, aimed at reducing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US. Estimates suggest removing trans fats could prevent thousands of coronary events and deaths annually.

For more information on trans fats and FDA regulations, visit the official FDA website.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to "Is hydrogenated oil banned in the US?" is that the harmful, partially hydrogenated form has been banned due to its artificial trans fat content. Fully hydrogenated oils remain legal. Consumers should read ingredient labels to identify the specific type of fat used to avoid PHOs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the FDA banned only partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), which contain high levels of artificial trans fats. Fully hydrogenated oils (FHOs), which have very low levels of trans fat, are still considered safe and are not banned.

Partially hydrogenated oil is an incomplete hydrogenation process that creates high levels of harmful artificial trans fats. Fully hydrogenated oil is a complete process that creates saturated fat with only trace amounts of trans fats.

The FDA issued its final determination in 2015, with the final compliance date for all uses of partially hydrogenated oils passing in January 2021. Most products were reformulated by June 2018.

The FDA banned partially hydrogenated oils because they were the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat, which was linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease and other heart-related health issues.

Yes, but only in very limited contexts. Small, naturally occurring amounts exist in meat and dairy products. Additionally, products can be labeled "0g trans fat" if they contain less than 0.5 grams per serving, so trace amounts may still be present.

The most effective way is to check the ingredient list for terms like "partially hydrogenated oil". Since the ban, you should not see this listed in newly manufactured products. Be mindful that products labeled "0g trans fat" per serving can still contain small amounts.

Manufacturers have turned to alternatives such as fully hydrogenated oils, palm oil, palm kernel oil, and non-hydrogenated vegetable oils (e.g., canola, sunflower, and olive oil) to achieve similar functional properties in food products.