“Based on the available scientific evidence and the findings of expert scientific panels, the FDA has made a final determination that there is no longer a consensus among qualified experts that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), which are the primary dietary source of industrially produced trans fatty acids, are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for any use in human food,” said the FDA-issued notice. MORE: Why You’re Probably Still Eating Trans Fat In case you need a refresher, trans fats are those controversial lab-made fats designed to cheaply add texture to foods and boost their shelf life. They’ve been shown to decrease “good” HDL cholesterol, increase “bad” LDL cholesterol, and up your risk for heart disease and diabetes. They’re often found in baked goods, fried foods, and creamy desserts like ice cream and frosting. So what does this “phase out” actually mean? Food companies will have 3 years (until June 2018) to either remove all trans fats from their products or obtain a waiver to use them. Because this move reclassifies trans fats as food additives, companies can petition the FDA to use trans fats in specific instances, but only if they have data proving the use isn’t harmful. MORE: 19 Foods That Actually Aren’t Food According to the FDA, this move could prevent as many as 20,000 heart attacks and 7,000 deaths from heart disease each year.
