Trans-fat: FDA proposes to eliminate GRAS status

The FDA has just announced a proposal to withdraw GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status for trans-fat.

My first reaction: Isn’t trans-fat already out of the food supply?  Hasn’t this been one of the food industry’s greatest public health achievements?

Once the FDA started to require trans-fat to be listed on food labels, food companies quickly stopped using partially hydrogenated oils (the source of trans-fat) and found healthier substitutes.  That’s why most food labels list zero grams trans-fat.

But the FDA allows food labels to say zero trans-fat if its amount is below 0.5 gram per serving.

Some manufacturers are still using a little.  This new initiative will encourage them to get rid of those last little bits.

Contrary to the New York Times headline, this is not exactly a ban on trans-fat.  If trans-fat is no longer GRAS, manufacturers can still file a food additive petition to continue using partially hydrogenated oils.

The Federal Register notice asks for input for the next 60 days.

I say congratulations to all:

• To food companies who worked hard to find ways to substitute healthier fats for trans-fats.
• To the FDA for finally taking care of the trans-fat 0.5-gram loophole.
• To Center for Science in the Public Interest for bringing health problems with trans-fat to public attention.
• To all of the researchers who did the science linking trans-fat to higher LDL-cholesterol levels and to heart disease risk.
• To the New York City health department for banning trans-fats from use in city restaurants.

Americans will be healthier as a result of all of your efforts.

Resources

At the moment, the FDA has not yet posted its Federal Register notice on the GRAS status of trans-fat. When it does, the notice should be available here.

CSPI’s home page on trans fat

The FDA trans-fat home page

FDA consumer materials

• Talking About Trans Fat: What You Need to Know
• What are the different types of fat that a food can contain? How are they different?
• Trans Fat Now Listed With Saturated Fat and Cholesterol (Including Examples of Nutrition Labels)

FDA guidance for industry

• Guidance for Industry: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, Health Claims; Small Entity Compliance Guide
• Federal Register – 2003 Food Labeling rule on trans-fat (68 FR 41434)
• Health Claim Notification for Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Trans Fat, and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Research

• FDA Health and Diet Survey – 2004 Supplement – Fats and Carbs – A Snapshot of Consumer Knowledge from a Recent FDA Survey
• Trans Fat Basics (CDC)
• Updated Estimate of Trans Fat intake by the U.S. population, 2012