On June 17, 2015, FDA revoked the GRAS status of artificial trans fats, specifically partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), dictating removal of the ingredients from foods no later than June 18, 2018 (see “Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils”). This comes in the wake of FDA’s preliminary determination in November 2013 that PHOs are no longer GRAS for any use in human food.
Per FDA, GRAS ingredients are permitted in foods without FDA review or approval. FDA has noted that fully hydrogenated oils (FHOs) remain outside the scope of this ruling. FHOs typically contain levels of trans fat similar to non-hydrogenated, refined fats and oils (less than 2 percent).