Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Where GRAS Is Leaner

The United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has announced that within three years partially-hydrogenated oils (major sources of trans fats) will no longer qualify to be "generally regarded as safe" ("GRAS"). Often used as a grandfathering mechanism for ensuring light regulation of foods whose wide consumption preceded passage of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act, food designated as GRAS may be legally sold without specific proof of nutritional benefit. In light of overwhelming scientific evidence, the FDA outlined its new policy on June 16, 2015:
Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today finalized its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in human food. Food manufacturers will have three years to remove PHOs from products.
This new policy furthers a previous FDA initiative regarding trans fats:
Since 2006, manufacturers have been required to include trans fat content information on the Nutrition Facts label of foods. Between 2003 and 2012, the FDA estimates that consumer trans fat consumption decreased about 78 percent and that the labeling rule and industry reformulation of foods were key factors in informing healthier consumer choices and reducing trans fat in foods. While trans fat intake has significantly decreased, the current intake remains a public health concern. The Institute of Medicine recommends that consumption of trans fat be as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally-adequate diet.
By 2019, partially-hydrogenated oils will be banned from food unless specifically approved by the FDA:
The FDA has set a compliance period of three years. This will allow companies to either reformulate products without PHOs and/or petition the FDA to permit specific uses of PHOs. Following the compliance period, no PHOs can be added to human food unless they are otherwise approved by the FDA.
Whatever its other effects, this new dietary policy will lend credence to the proposition that the GRAS is always leaner.