FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Nov. 7, 2013
Media Inquiries: Shelly Burgess, shelly.burgess@fda.hhs.gov, 301-796-4651
Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA
Media Inquiries: Shelly Burgess, shelly.burgess@fda.hhs.gov, 301-796-4651
Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA
FDA takes step to further reduce trans fats in processed foods
Reducing trans fat intake could prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans
fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” for use
in food. The FDA’s preliminary determination is based on available
scientific evidence and the findings of expert scientific panels.
The
agency has opened a 60-day comment period on this preliminary
determination to collect additional data and to gain input on the time
potentially needed for food manufacturers to reformulate products that
currently contain artificial trans fat should this determination be finalized.
“While consumption of potentially harmful artificial trans
fat has declined over the last two decades in the United States,
current intake remains a significant public health concern,” said FDA
Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “The FDA’s action today is an
important step toward protecting more Americans from the potential
dangers of trans fat. Further reduction in the amount of trans
fat in the American diet could prevent an additional 20,000 heart
attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year – a critical step
in the protection of Americans’ health.”
Consumption of trans
fat raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol,
increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. The independent Institute
of Medicine (IOM) has concluded that trans fat provides no known health benefit and that there is no safe level of consumption of artificial trans fat. Additionally, the IOM recommends that consumption of trans fat should be as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.
In recent years, many food manufacturers and retailers have voluntarily decreased trans fat levels in many foods and products they sell. Trans
fat can be found in some processed foods, such as certain desserts,
microwave popcorn products, frozen pizzas, margarines and coffee
creamers. Numerous retailers and manufacturers have already demonstrated
that many of these products can be made without trans fat.
Thanks to these efforts, along with public education, the consumption of trans fat in American diets has been significantly reduced. Since trans fat content information began appearing in the Nutrition Facts label of foods in 2006, trans fat intake among American consumers has declined from 4.6 grams per day in 2003 to about 1 gram per day in 2012.
“One
of the FDA’s core regulatory functions is ensuring that food, including
all substances added to food, is safe,” said Michael Taylor, the FDA’s
deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. “Food manufacturers have voluntarily decreased trans fat levels in many foods in recent years, but a substantial number of products still contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are the major source of trans fat in processed food.”
Following a review of the submitted comments, if the FDA
finalizes its preliminary determination, PHOs would be considered “food
additives” and could not be used in food unless authorized by
regulation. If such a determination were made,
the agency would provide adequate time for producers to reformulate
products in order to minimize market disruption. The FDA’s preliminary determination is only with regard to PHOs and does not affect trans fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in certain meat and dairy products.
More information about trans fat and information the FDA is seeking is available through a Federal Register notice. The docket will be open for comment for 60 days.
To submit comments by mail, send to the FDA at:
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
All submissions must include the agency name and docket number.
For more information:
- Federal Register Notice: Tentative Determination of Food Additive Status of Partially Hydrogenated Oils: Request for Comments and Scientific Data and Information
- National Academies of Science, Institute of Medicine Report: Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids
- HHS Million Hearts Initiative
- USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
- FDA Consumer Update: FDA Targets Trans Fat in Processed Foods
- FDA Voice: Trans Fat: Taking the Next Important Step
- Talking about Trans Fat – What You Need to Know
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