FDA Seeks to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils from Food

By Amy Orciari Herman

Partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fats found in processed foods, are not "generally recognized as safe" for consumption, the FDA said Thursday in a "preliminary determination."

If the determination is made final, partially hydrogenated oils will be labeled as food additives and will be banned from food products "unless authorized by regulation," the agency said. The statement is open for public comment for 60 days.

FDA commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg noted: "While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States, current intake remains a significant public health concern." She adds that, "further reduction in the amount of trans fat in the American diet could prevent an additional 20,000 heart attacks and 7000 deaths from heart disease each year."