In a recent notice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied a trade association’s petition to continue using partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in certain instances and extended the original compliance timeline for manufacturers to discontinue their use of PHOs.

In 2015, the FDA issued a final determination that PHOs are no longer recognized as safe for use in human foods due to significant human health risks, namely an increased risk of coronary heart disease, associated with the consumption of trans fat. In conjunction with the final determination, the agency set a three year deadline for manufacturers to reformulate products, sell existing products or petition for use of PHOs. However, based on public feedback, the agency has extended the compliance timeline to January 2020 to allow for a more orderly transition.

In 2014, the ACC joined with the American Heart Association to send the FDA a letter supporting the determination that PHOs no longer be recognized as safe for any use in food. Read the full Federal Register notice.

Keywords: United States Food and Drug Administration, American Heart Association, Trans Fatty Acids, Hydrogenation, Plant Oils, Food, Coronary Disease

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