Source: The Campaign to Ban Partially Hydrogenated Oils

Note: Fully hydrogenated oils do not contain trans fat. However, if the word "hydrogenated" is used without the word "partially," that product may contain partially hydrogenated oil. Not all labeling is accurate and the word "partially" may have been wrongfully omitted. For example, Safeway "Sinful" cookies with soft creme and raspberry center include "hydrogenated vegetable oil." We do not know whether this is actually partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website states:

Consumers can know if a food contains trans fat by looking at the ingredient list on the food label. If the ingredient list includes the words “shortening,” “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil” or “hydrogenated vegetable oil,” the food contains trans fat. Because ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance, smaller amounts are present when the ingredient is close to the end of the list.

Here is a very frequently asked question. Why do some manufacturers claim on their packaging that a product is trans fat free when a partially hydrogenated oil is shown on the list of ingredients? Because under FDA regulations, if a product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving size, they must express it as zero grams. It's a bad rule that should be changed! Some food manufacturers believe that this allows them to say on the packaging that the product is "trans fat-free." We think that they are wrong.

And now for the hard part: restaurants and bakeries and other places where you buy prepared food which has no labeling. You just have to ask what kind of oil or fat they use. If they say they use "vegetable oil," ask whether it is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Don't be shy about asking. Ask about that fried food. Ask about that donut. Ask about that pie crust. Ask about that bread. When you ask, you are sending a message to the seller of the food that you don't want trans fats.

For example, Safeway in the United States uses "Liquid Frying Shortening." The primary ingredient is partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Frightening! We found out by inspecting the labeling on boxes of the stuff in the bakery section of one of their supermarkets. How are you supposed to know that? You have to ask.

Do you still want that donut?