The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalised its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) should not generally be regarded as safe for use in human foods, almost a year and a half after the organisation first vowed to eliminate them from the food supply.
The judgement means that food manufacturers will have three years to rid their products of PHOs, which are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods. After June 18 2018, the use of PHOs in food will only be permitted after FDA approval. The determination was based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, FDA said.
It added that the ruling would “significantly reduce the use of PHOs” in foods and could lead to a reduction in the prevalence of coronary heart disease, which has been linked to a consumption of high levels of trans fats.
FDA acting commissioner Stephen Ostroff said: “The FDA’s action on this major source of artificial trans fat demonstrates the agency’s commitment to the heart health of all Americans. This action is expected to reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.”
Susan Mayne, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, added: “Studies show that diet and nutrition play a key role in preventing chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and today’s action goes hand in hand with other FDA initiatives to improve the health of Americans, including updating the nutrition facts label. This determination is based on extensive research into the effects of PHOs, as well as input from all stakeholders received during the public comment period.”
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