While the FDA remains mum, rumors are circulating that the agency will have some announcement June 1 or thereabouts regarding its year-old proposal to outlaw partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs).
The FDA announced in November 2013 that it was considering removing the "generally recognized as safe" status for PHOs because they are metabolized into trans fats, which are linked to heart disease. The agency held a months-long comment period, which dragged into mid-2014, and promised a final ruling … but that hasn't happened yet.
While much of the food industry has already replaced PHOs and trans fats, there remains a significant number of companies that are still wrestling with reformulations. Rumors also indicate Walmart has told its food suppliers to have PHOs removed from products by fall.
