Interactive Nutrition Facts Label • October 2021
Trans Fat 1
Trans Fat
What It Is
Trans fat is an unsaturated fat. Trans fat occurs naturally in some
animal foods but is not essential in the diet. Partially hydrogenated
oils contain articial trans fats and were the major source of trans
fats in foods. Trans fat has detrimental health effects and
partially hydrogenated oils are no longer added to foods.
There are two sources of tra ns fat:
• Trans fat formed naturally is produced in the stomach of
ruminant animals (such as cattle and sheep).
• Trans fat formed articially during food processing is
created during a manufacturing process called “partial
hydrogenation” in which hydrogen is added to liquid vegetable oil
to make it more solid, and therefore more resistant to becoming
spoiled or rancid. The process generally does not make the oil
completely solid, resulting in “partially” hydrogenated oils.
Where It Is Found
Trans fat formed naturally is found in small amounts in some
animal products, such as dairy products, beef, and lamb.
Trans fat formed articially during food processing is found
in partially hydrogenated oils, which were used in a variety of foods.
As of 2018, most uses of partially hydrogenated oils have been
phased out. Rened vegetable oils may contain a small amount
of trans fat as an unintentional byproduct of their manufacturing
process.
What It Does
Partially hydrogenated oils were used by food manufacturers to
improve the texture, shelf life, and avor stability of foods. Partially
hydrogenated oils should not be confused with “fully hydrogenated
oils,” which are solid fats that contain very low levels of trans fat.
www.fda.gov/nutritioneducation
Interactive Nutrition Facts Label • October 2021
Trans Fat 2
• There is evidence that diets higher in trans fat are associated with increased blood levels of low-density
lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol—which, in turn, are associated with an increased risk of
developing cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both
men and women in the U.S.
• As of June 2018, partially hydrogenated oils, the major source of articial trans fat in the food supply,
are no longer Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Therefore, partially hydrogenated oils are no
longer added to foods.
Health Facts
Use the Nutrition Facts label as a tool for monitoring consumption of trans fat formed articially
during food processing. The Nutrition Facts label on food and beverage packages shows the amount
in grams (g) of trans fat per serving of the food.
Trans fat will not be completely gone from foods because it occurs naturally in small amounts in some
animal products and is present at very low levels in rened vegetable oils.
Trans fat has no % Daily Value (%DV), so use the number of grams (g) to compare and
choose foods.
Action Steps
For Monitoring Trans Fat in Your Diet
