Tag: Trans fat ban

As of January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) effectively banned the addition of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of artificial trans fat, to most processed foods. However, this does not mean that all trans fat has been eliminated from the food supply.

As of January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) effectively eliminated partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) from the American food supply by revoking their "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) status. This action, taken to reduce artificial trans fats linked to heart disease, answers the key question: are hydrogenated oils banned in the US? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, as the ban specifically targets PHOs and not their fully hydrogenated counterparts.

In 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a landmark ruling that led to the effective ban of the most common form of artificial trans fat. This decision targeted partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), a cheap and versatile ingredient previously used to extend the shelf life and improve the texture of countless processed foods.