Trans fats may lose GRAS status

THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made a preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans-fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognised as safe” (GRAS) for use in food. The agency has required industry to declare the amount of trans fat in food on the Nutrition Facts label since 2006. Whilst many processed foods have been reformulated to cut the amount of trans fat, a number of products still contain PHOs. The FDA’s final decision would be based on comments received until 8 November 2013. If it determines that PHOs are not GRAS, PHOs cannot be used in foods unless authorised by a regulation.