• December 19, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has extended the comment period on its preliminary determination regarding partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) for 60 days, through March 8, 2014.

The preliminary determination is that PHOs, which are the primary source of artifical trans fat in processed foods, should no longer be classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS).

Instead, PHOs would be classified as food additives that could not be legally used in food unless authorized by the FDA. 

This would require reformulations of many procesed foods. The FDA has said it would provide food makers with adequate time to implement such reformulations. 

The FDA said it was extending the comment period because of the large number of requests for speaking time from stakeholders, who include food manufacturers and consumer advocacy and health groups.