The ACC and the American Heart Association (AHA) have expressed support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) tentative determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) no longer be considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for any use in food. A letter to the FDA underscored the significant health risks associated with consumption of PHOs, or industrially-produced trans fat, including an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The ACC and AHA urged the FDA to finalize its determination, revoke the GRAS status, and require food manufacturers to remove PHOs from their products as quickly and efficiently as possible. "Taking industrially-produced trans fat out of foods will help Americans reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and avoid other negative health effects," the organizations stressed. "AHA and ACC stand ready to support the FDA in its work to eliminate this unsafe ingredient from our food supply."

Keywords: American Heart Association, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Food Supply, Hydrogenation, Oils, Trans Fatty Acids, United States Food and Drug Administration

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