How can a product have zero grams of trans fats and still use hydrogenated oils?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines specify that percentages should be rounded up if over 0.5 grams or down if under. So if the amount of trans fats is less than half a gram (0.5 gram) per serving, FDA labeling guidelines state that the Nutrition Facts label must show the total amount of trans fats per serving as zero grams (0 grams). Likewise, if the amount of trans fats in a product is 0.75 grams per serving, the total amount would be shown as 1 gram trans fats per serving. As a result, you may see a few products that list 0 grams trans fats on the label, while the ingredient list will include “shortening,” “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil,” or “hydrogenated vegetable oil.” This means the food contains very small amounts (less than 0.5 g, or about 1/20 of a teaspoon) of trans fat per serving. Sometimes hydrogenated oils are also used in the processing of foods. For example, hydrogenated oils sometimes are used as a coating on machines to prevent sticking, as you w
