For the last decade, trans fats have played a front-and-center role in new product development and better-for-you reformulation efforts. As soon as FDA mandated labeling of artificial trans fats in 2003—a rule that required compliance by January 1, 2006 (see 68 FR 41434, “Food Labeling: Trans”)—the amount of artificial trans fats, like partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), in foods has significantly declined in the U.S., an estimated reduction of 86 percent, per the Grocery Manufacturers Association.
But signs that FDA was not yet finished with this issue surfaced in November 2013 when it announced a preliminary determination that trans fats like PHOs were no longer considered GRAS in food.