The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it has extended the comment period through March 8 because of the large number of requests for speaking time from stakeholders, such as food manufacturers and consumer advocacy and health groups.

The preliminary determination is that partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of artificial trans-fat in processed foods, should no longer be classified as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). Instead, they would be classified as food additives that could not be legally used in food unless authorized by the FDA.

This would require reformulations of many processed foods. The FDA indicated it would provide food makers with adequate time to implement such reformulations.

Source: www.mediapost.com