Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)

Also known as: PHOs, Trans fats, Artificial trans fats

Fat / Processing aid

US-EU Regulatory Divergence

This additive has different regulatory status in the US and EU — what's permitted in one region may be restricted or banned in the other.

Regulatory Status

United States (FDA)

Banned

FDA revoked GRAS status in 2015, effective ban in 2018. No longer permitted in US food supply.

European Union (EFSA)

Restricted

EU limits industrial trans fat to 2g per 100g of fat in food (Regulation 2019/649). Not a full ban but effectively eliminates most uses.

Safety Profile

The clearest-cut case of a harmful food additive. Both US and EU have effectively eliminated artificial trans fats. WHO has a global elimination target of 2025.

Health Concerns

  • • Definitively linked to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
  • • Raises LDL ("bad") cholesterol AND lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol
  • • WHO estimates 500,000 deaths/year globally from trans fat consumption
  • • No safe level of consumption

Commonly Found In

Formerly: margarine, shortening, fried foods, baked goodsNow largely eliminated from food supply

Sources: FDA Substances Added to Food, EFSA opinions, EU Regulation 1333/2008, IARC monographs

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