Trans Fat (2024)

The FDA has taken major steps to reduce artificial trans fat in the food supply. In the past, most of the trans fat in foods came from partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), formed through a manufacturing process that converts vegetable oil into a solid fat at room temperature. Trans fat also occurs naturally in food products from ruminant animals (e.g., milk, butter, cheese, meat products). The FDA’s actions have not affected these natural sources of trans fat.

Eating trans fat raises the level of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in the blood. An elevated LDL cholesterol level in the blood increases the risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in men and women in the U.S. Removing PHOs from processed foods is estimated to be preventing thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year. Because trans fat increases LDL-cholesterol, the FDA requires trans fats to be declared on the Nutrition Facts label.

In 2015, the FDA took the significant step of determining that PHOs, then the major source of artificialtransfat in the food supply, are no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe,” or GRAS. For the majority of uses of PHOs, June 18, 2018, was the date after which manufacturers could not add PHOs to foods. However, to allow for an orderly transition in the marketplace, FDA allowed more time for products to work their way through distribution by extending the final compliance date to January 1, 2021.

In 2023, the FDA issued a direct final rule to remove outdated references to PHOs in various regulations.

Trans Fat (2024)

FAQs

How much trans fat is enough? ›

Industrially produced trans fat can be eliminated and replaced with healthier fats or oils without changing cost, taste or availability of food. WHO's recommendation for adults is to limit consumption of trans fat to less than 1% of total energy intake, which is less than 2.2 g per day for a 2000-calorie diet.

How to get rid of trans fat in the body? ›

Eat a dietary pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts. Also limit red meat and sugary foods and beverages. Use naturally occurring, unhydrogenated vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower or olive oil most often.

Is a little bit of trans fat bad? ›

Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat to eat. Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats — also called trans-fatty acids — raise "bad" cholesterol and also lowers "good" cholesterol. A diet laden with trans fats increases the risk of heart disease, the leading killer of adults.

Is 1 g of trans fat ok? ›

An average 2,000-calorie daily diet should include less than 2 grams of trans fats. Trans fats occur naturally in foods, such as milk, butter, and animal meat. These trans fats are less harmful to your health. The worst kinds occur in fast food, fried foods, and snack foods.

Is olive oil a trans fat? ›

Olive oil does not contain any trans fats to begin with and since the fat in olive oil is primarily monounsaturated, it is less likely to oxidize when heated. Oxidation creates the unstable conditions where oil starts to break down chemically.

What food is high in trans fat? ›

Foods With Trans Fats
  • Any Fried or Battered Foods. Many restaurants use PHOs to make fried and battered foods. ...
  • Baked Goods. Various baked products may contain trans fat. ...
  • Baking Ingredients. ...
  • Breakfast Foods. ...
  • Frozen Foods. ...
  • Meat Products. ...
  • Non-Dairy Creamers. ...
  • Snacks.
Nov 28, 2023

Is cheese high in trans fat? ›

Small amounts of these naturally occurring trans fats can be found in foods such as milk, cheese, butter, and meat products.

What foods have no trans fat? ›

Eat more whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lean meats, fish, nuts, and lean poultry. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid inner aisles where you're more likely to find processed foods that may contain trans fats.

Can exercise reduce trans fat? ›

Not true. Trans-fats are not considered good for you but all fat is simply stored energy. Given the proper stimulus at the proper intensity and that stored energy will be used. It is not even necessary to workout for this to happen, although I highly recommend that you do, because it helps and has many other benefits.

Does ice cream have trans fat? ›

A small amount of trans fat also occurs naturally in foods such as beef, veal, lamb and foods containing milk fat, such as butter, whole milk, cream, cheese and ice cream.

Is trans fat in yogurt bad for you? ›

Small amounts of naturally occurring trans fats can be found in some foods such as dairy products, beef and lamb, and some oils. How do they affect our health? Trans fats can increase your risk of heart disease.

Does McDonald's have trans fat? ›

OAK BROOK, Illinois (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp has switched to cooking oils free of trans fats in all of its restaurants in the United States and Canada, Chief Executive Jim Skinner said on Thursday. The restaurants made the switch over the past few months, he said.

How much trans fat is OK in a day? ›

International expert groups and public health authorities recommend limiting consumption of trans fat (industrially-produced and ruminant) to less than 1% of total energy intake, which translates to less than 2.2 g/day for a 2,000-calorie diet. Why are partially hydrogenated oils used in food?

Do all fried foods have trans fat? ›

Although the food industry has greatly reduced the use of trans fat in recent years, this type of fat may still be found in many fried, packaged, or processed foods, including: Anything fried and battered.

What is worse for cholesterol, sugar or fat? ›

While it's common knowledge that saturated fats can raise your cholesterol, there can be another culprit: A diet high in sugary foods. From sweetened coffee every morning to a can of soda to go along with your evening meal, the added sugars in your daily diet may take a toll on your cholesterol over time.

Is 0.5 mg of trans fat bad? ›

The Nutrition Facts panel on foods lists any amount of trans fats over 0.5 mg. What are the effects of trans fats? Trans fat raises bad cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoproteins), and lowers good cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein). Overall, it increases the risk of developing heart disease.

Is it okay to eat trans fat once in a while? ›

The worst type of dietary fat is the kind known as trans fat. It is a byproduct of a process called hydrogenation that is used to turn healthy oils into solids and to prevent them from becoming rancid. Trans fats have no known health benefits and that there is no safe level of consumption.

How much trans fat does the average American eat? ›

The average American eats 5.6 grams of trans fat per day. What about my health? Trans fats have been proven to raise your “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower your “good” cholesterol (HDL). Eating trans fats increase your risk of developing heart disease, having a stroke and developing type 2 diabetes.

How much saturated fat per day is safe? ›

average man should eat no more than 30g of saturated fat a day. average woman should eat no more than 20g of saturated fat a day.

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