Back to Specialty Food News

Partially Hydrogenated Oil No Longer GRAS Under FDA Rule

The Food and Drug Administration issued a direct final rule on Monday that determines the use of partially hydrogenated oils in foods is no longer generally recognized as safe, reports Food Safety News. Monday’s decision was a final affirmation of a 2015 rule declaring them no longer generally recognized as safe.

Hydrogenated oil can be found as either partially or fully hydrogenated. Partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fat that can lead to adverse health outcomes. Trans fats will still exist in the food supply because it naturally occurs in meat and dairy products, shares Food Safety News.

The direct final rule does the following:

• “…Removes PHOs as an optional ingredient in the standards of identity for peanut butter and canned tuna,” states the direct final rule.

• Revises the generally recognized as safe designation to no longer include partially hydrogenated forms of menhaden and rapeseed oils.

• Erases the regulation that affirmed partially hydrogenated fish oil could be used as an indirect food substance.

• Revokes the pre-1958 authorization of the oil in margarine, shortening, bread, rolls, and buns.

“We are issuing these amendments directly as a final rule because they are noncontroversial given the public health risks associated with PHOs and the increasing use of PHO alternatives,” according to the direct final rule. Full Story

Related: More Fast-Food Customers Eat Off Premises; Industry Voices: Inflation Changed Consumer Behavior

Topics: