This Just In: Partially Hydrogenated Oils Not Safe

Okay, so, it's entirely possible that this information is not news to you. But guess what? It is to the FDA. Officially, in a release dated November 7 of this year, that is. Click here to read the full release.

From the release:

Part of the FDA's responsibility to the public is to ensure that food in the American food supply is safe. Therefore, due to the risks associated with consuming PHOs, FDA has issued a Federal Register notice with its preliminary determination that PHOs are no longer "generally recognized as safe," or GRAS, for short. If this preliminary determination is finalized, then PHOs would become food additives subject to premarket approval by FDA. Foods containing unapproved food additives are considered adulterated under U.S. law, meaning they cannot legally be sold.

FINALLY! This appears to be a step in the right direction. Interestingly enough, however, this is just a "preliminary determination". Apparently they don't want to act too hastily. More on this is explained in the article as: "FDA can act when it believes an ingredient is, in fact, not GRAS. And that's what the agency's preliminary determination is doing now with partially hydrogenated oils. A Federal Register notice was published on Nov., 7 2013 announcing the preliminary determination that PHOs are not GRAS, which includes the opening of a 60-day public comment period.

If FDA makes a final determination that PHOs are not GRAS, the agency and food industry would have to figure out a way to phase out the use of PHOs over time. To help address this concern in an appropriate manner, the Federal Register notice calls for comment on how long it would take the food industry to phase out its use of PHOs.

We'll see where things go, and this just scratches the service of the harmful things that can be found in items sold as "food" in this country, but it's very encouraging!