P99-27 FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Media: 202-205-4144
November 12, 1999
Consumer Inquiries: 800-INFO-FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed today to amend its regulations on nutrition labeling to require that the amount of trans fatty acids in a food be included in the Nutrition Facts panel. Included in this proposal is a new nutrient content claim defining "trans fat free" and a limit on trans fatty acids wherever there are limits on saturated fat in nutrient content claims or health claims.
Trans fatty acids, also known as trans fat, are made through the process of hydrogenation that solidifies liquid oils. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of these oils and foods that contain them. Trans fat is found in vegetable shortenings, and in some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods and other foods.
FDA based its proposal on recent studies that indicate that consumption of trans fatty acids contributes to increased blood LDL-cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) levels, which increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Recent information from the American Heart Association indicates that CHD causes about 500,000 deaths annually, making it the number one cause of death in the United States. FDA is proposing to provide for information on trans fatty acids in nutrition labeling and for limits on trans fatty acids for content claims and for health claims in response to this important public health matter. This proposal also responds to a petition submitted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
"The Nation's experience with the new food label has shown that it can be a powerful tool for consumers. By requiring information about trans fatty acids, this proposal should assist individuals in their efforts to reduce their risk of coronary heart disease," said Jane E. Henney, M.D., FDA Commissioner.
FDA is soliciting comments from the public on this proposed rule. The proposal is on display at the Office of the Federal Register, at FDA's Dockets Management Branch, and can be found at the following Website: www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/. Comments may be submitted for the next 90 days on this proposal to FDA's Dockets Management Branch, HFA-305, Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
The FDA's proposed rule on trans fatty acids (also called "trans fat") would require that the amount of trans fat per serving be added to the amount of saturated fat per serving so that the amount and percent Daily Value (%DV) per serving on the Nutrition Facts panel will be based on the sum of the two. When trans fatty acids are present, an asterisk (or other symbol) would be required after the heading "Saturated fat" to refer to a footnote stating that the product "*Includes __ g trans fat." This footnote would be optional on foods that contain no trans fat (i.e. less than 0.5 gram per serving, as analytical methods cannot reliably measure lower levels), except when a fatty acid or cholesterol claim is made.
The FDA has proposed limits on trans fat on several nutrient content claims found on food labels. Restrictions on trans fat will change the nutrient content claims as follows:
In addition, the labeling of foods containing more than 4 grams of saturated fat and trans fat combined per serving would not be able to carry health claims (e.g. sodium and hypertension, calcium and osteoporosis). However, the labeling of such foods would be permitted to bear nutrient content claims (e.g. "low sodium") if they have the following statement by the claim: "See nutrition information for saturated fat content." This statement would not have to accompany nutrient content claims when the food contains 4 grams or less of saturated and trans fat combined.
The FDA notes that it is not proposing a trans fat limit for the claim "Saturated fat free" because the agency has already defined that claim as less than 0.5 grams of saturated fat and less than 0.5 grams of trans fat.
This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/NEW00698.html
November 17, 1999 Federal Register Notice: Food Labeling: Trans Fatty Acids in Nutrition Labeling, Nutrient Content Claims, and Health Claims; Proposed Rule
Questions and Answers and Trans Fat Proposed Rule