Trans-fat, found in processed foods that contain partially
hydrogenated oil, is linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
In 2006, trans fat was added to Nutrition Facts labels, and in 2015, the FDA finalized a ban on partially
hydrogenated oil that goes into effect this June.
This partially
hydrogenated oil is less likely to spoil, so foods made with it have a longer shelf life.
Hydrogenated oil is a man-made food substance that is used widely throughout the food supply for its cost efficiency and technical advantages.
The numbers who noticed that "0 percent trans fat" was contradictory when ingredients listed partially
hydrogenated oil in the food may have influenced FDA's intent to ban any included trans fat that subverted the 0 percent.
In simplest terms, partially
hydrogenated oil is the result of adding hydrogen to vegetable oil.
"These high-oleic soybean oil varieties enable food companies to get the functionality they desire for flavor stability, texture, and other important characteristics while avoiding the tradeoff to higher saturated fat or trans fat levels that comes with using palm oil or partially
hydrogenated oil for stability," said Murphy.
The background: In recent years I've often seen partially
hydrogenated oil in the ingredients list of many commercial food products, yet in the nutrition facts box the trans fat content indicated is 0 grams.
All manufactured and pre-packaged food, as well as food prepared by restaurants and fast-food outlets, where partially
hydrogenated oil is used for deep-frying, will be affected by the ban, which limits trans fat content to 2%.
The CSPI told the company last month it should not use 'all natural' if products contain alkalised cocoa, corn syrup,
hydrogenated oil or other ingredients that are not natural.
Stable frying oils need to have low levels of linolenic acid, more oleic acid and less linoleic acid, which is similar to what is found in
hydrogenated oil. USDA-ARS scientists have developed a new soybean oil that contains 52% oleic, 31% linoleic and 1% linolenic acids.
"The food industry has been responding by lowering the amounts of
hydrogenated oil, which contains trans-fats, in foods.