SEVERE — -15 pts

Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)

Flags: F-R05

Also known as: PHOs, Trans fats, Partially hydrogenated soybean oil, Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil

Kids Food & Snacks

What it is

Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are vegetable oils that have been chemically modified through partial hydrogenation, a process that creates artificial trans fatty acids. These were once ubiquitous in baked goods, snacks, and fried foods for their shelf stability and texture.

SEVERE

FDA determined in 2015 that PHOs are not Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and banned them from the US food supply effective June 2018. Trans fats from PHOs are conclusively linked to cardiovascular disease, with no safe level of consumption identified.

Why it matters

Cardiovascular disease: raises LDL cholesterol, lowers HDL cholesterol, increases coronary heart disease risk
No safe level of consumption identified by WHO or FDA
Inflammatory effects throughout the body
Associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes

The research

Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA, 2015. 80 FR 34650 [Source]

"FDA determined PHOs are not GRAS for any use in human food based on extensive evidence linking trans fat consumption to coronary heart disease"

Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease

Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. New England Journal of Medicine, 2006. 354(15):1601-1613 PMID: 16611951 [Source]

"Comprehensive review establishing that trans fat consumption from PHOs substantially increases cardiovascular disease risk"

Who should care most

All consumers. Risk is cumulative and dose-dependent. Children consuming products with residual PHOs face long-term cardiovascular risk.

How other countries handle it

Country	Status
United States	BANNED. FDA removed GRAS status effective June 18, 2018. No longer permitted in US food supply.
European Union	Banned. Trans fat limited to 2g per 100g of fat in food products (EU Regulation 2019/649).
Canada	Banned. Partially hydrogenated oils prohibited since September 2018.
Australia	Not specifically banned but effectively removed from food supply through voluntary industry reformulation.

Sources

Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA, 2015. 80 FR 34650. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/06/17/2015-14883/final-determination-regarding-partially-hydrogenated-oils
Intake of trans fatty acids and risk of coronary heart disease. Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. New England Journal of Medicine, 2006. 354(15):1601-1613. PubMed 16611951

For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Consult your pediatrician. Data current as of March 24, 2026.