FDA reveals final rule on trans fat

FDA announced the issuance of a direct final rule to be published in the Federal Register on August 9 that ties up loose ends regarding the use of PHOs, the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in food. This rule concludes the agency’s administrative actions.

In June 2015, the agency determined PHOs were no longer GRAS. The final compliance date, Jan. 1, 2021, gave manufacturers time to reformulate.

The food industry utilized PHOs in a variety of foods, including baked goods, creamers and other products that benefited from shortening. Since their discovery in the late 19th century, they became popular because they were inexpensive to produce and were less prone to rancidity. Popular brands such as Crisco became household names.

The rule revokes the pre-1958 authorization for using PHOs in margarine, shortening, bread, rolls and buns. This authorization occurred before the enactment of the Food Additives Amendment of 1958, so these uses of PHOs could not be regulated as food additives.

Today’s action addresses outdated references in the regulations:

Because trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy products, it cannot be completely removed from the marketplace. It’s also present in other edible oils at very low levels.

Although FDA does not expect significant adverse comments to the direct final rule, comments will be accepted for 75 days after publication in the Federal Register. In the event significant adverse comments are received, FDA issued a companion proposed rule to enable the agency to move forward to put these changes in place.

Cindy Hazen has more than 25 years of experience developing seasonings, dry blends, beverages and more. Today, when not writing or consulting, she expands her knowledge of food safety as a food safety officer for a Memphis-based produce distributor.