Trans Fat Free Labels Can Hide Harmful Trans Fat Levels

Author: Case Western Reserve University
Published: 3 Jan 2011 - Updated: 23 Sep 2026
Publication Type: News

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This research, written by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine student Eric Brandt and published in the January/February 2011 issue of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Health Promotion, argues that FDA-approved food labels can mislead shoppers into eating far more trans fat than they realize. Under federal rules, a product containing up to 0.49 grams of trans fat per serving can legally be labeled as having zero, so foods marketed as trans fat free may still carry a meaningful amount. Because trans fat is tied to coronary artery disease, diabetes, and sudden cardiac death, the gap between what the label says and what is actually in the food has real consequences. Brandt calls on the FDA to require trans fat to be reported in smaller increments so consumers can make informed choices. The findings are especially useful for seniors, people living with heart disease or diabetes, caregivers who plan meals, and anyone following a heart-healthy diet who depends on nutrition labels to manage risk.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Labels round fat content under 5 grams to the nearest half gram.
• 2 - Eating just three such servings adds up to 1.47 grams of trans fat.
• 3 - The recommended daily limit for trans fat from processed foods is only 1.11 grams.
• 4 - Raising trans fat intake from 2 grams to 4.67 grams a day increases cardiovascular disease risk by 30 percent.

Topic Definition

Trans Fat Labeling

Trans fat labeling refers to the rules that govern how the amount of trans fat in a packaged food is shown on its Nutrition Facts panel. In the United States, the FDA has required trans fat to be listed since 2006, but the amount is rounded - anything under 0.5 grams per serving may be declared as zero. That rounding means a product can be sold as trans fat free while still containing a small amount, which becomes significant when several servings or several such foods are eaten in a day. Because trans fat raises LDL cholesterol, lowers HDL cholesterol, and increases the risk of heart disease, accurate labeling is an important tool for anyone trying to limit how much they consume.

Overview

Call for Truth in Trans Fats Labeling by FDA

Case Western Reserve study shows how deceptive food labels lead to increased risk of deadly diseases.

Did you know that when you pick up a product promoted as trans fat free, you may still be ingesting a significant amount of this potentially harmful substance?

An article by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine student Eric Brandt, published in the January/February 2011 issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion, reveals that misleading labeling practices can result in medically significant intake of harmful trans fat, despite what you read on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved labels.

Indeed, consumers' inability to identify high-risk foods may cause individuals to exceed the daily recommended value of 1.11 grams of trans fat from processed foods and lead to adverse long-term health side effects.

Ingestion of trans fat is a known public health concern. Top national health organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and American Heart Association, suggest trans fats be ingested in limited quantities. However, current FDA labeling protocol and policy prevents the public from accessing the true amount of trans fat contained in their food products.

Current law requires that fat content of greater than five grams be listed in one gram increments, less than five grams be listed in.5 gram increments, and lower than.5 grams as containing zero grams of fat. Meaning, if a product has.49 grams of trans fat, the label can list the trans fat content as zero, thus masking a significant amount of trans fat that can exceed recommended limits and potentially lead to various adverse health effects.

Trans fat consumption has been linked to increased risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes, and sudden cardiac death.

Because the daily recommended amount of trans fat from processed foods is only 1.11 grams, one would only need to consume a few deceptively labeled trans fat foods to exceed the healthy recommended intake. As few as three deceptively labeled trans fat items would exceed the healthy recommended intake; for example, consuming three serving sizes each with.49 grams of trans fat, totaling 1.47 grams. Despite what seems to be a small amount of trans fat to ingest, research shows that increasing daily trans fat consumption from.9% to 2.1%, or from two grams to 4.67 grams, will increase one's risk of cardiovascular disease by 30%.

In an effort to adhere to its mission and responsibility in "helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to maintain and improve their health," Brandt recommends the FDA revise its labeling protocol in order to prevent misleading the public about the amount of trans fat they are consuming. He recommends the FDA require food labels to report trans fat content in smaller increments, enabling consumers to recognize significant levels of trans fat in food products and allow one to properly manage their consumption. The suggested change will increase awareness of accurate food trans fat content, empower informed food choices, and improve public health outcomes.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Founded in 1843, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is the largest medical research institution in Ohio and is among the nation's top medical schools for research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The School of Medicine is recognized throughout the international medical community for outstanding achievements in teaching. The School's innovative and pioneering Western Reserve2 curriculum interweaves four themes--research and scholarship, clinical mastery, leadership, and civic professionalism--to prepare students for the practice of evidence-based medicine in the rapidly changing health care environment of the 21st century. Nine Nobel Laureates have been affiliated with the school of medicine.

Annually, the School of Medicine trains more than 800 MD and MD/PhD students and ranks in the top 20 among U.S. research-oriented medical schools as designated by U.S. News & World Report "Guide to Graduate Education."

The School of Medicine's primary affiliate is University Hospitals Case Medical Center and is additionally affiliated with MetroHealth Medical Center, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Cleveland Clinic, with which it established the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University in 2002.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What exactly are trans fats?

Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat with a chemical structure that makes them behave like saturated fat. Most artificial trans fat was created through partial hydrogenation, a process that turns liquid vegetable oil into a more solid, shelf stable fat.

Has the FDA banned artificial trans fats?

Yes. In 2015 the FDA determined that partially hydrogenated oils are not generally recognized as safe, and manufacturers were required to remove them from foods, with final compliance dates extending to January 2020.

Can a food still contain trans fat if the label says zero grams?

Yes. Current rules still allow foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving to be labeled as zero, so small amounts can remain, especially from natural sources.

How can I tell if a food has hidden trans fat?

Check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oil, and look closely at the serving size, since eating several servings can add up even when each is labeled zero.

Are natural trans fats in meat and dairy harmful?

Small amounts of trans fat occur naturally in beef, lamb, butter, and milk. Research on their effects is less clear than for artificial trans fat, but health groups still advise keeping total intake low.

How do trans fats affect cholesterol levels?

Trans fats raise LDL, often called bad cholesterol, while lowering HDL, the good cholesterol, a combination that makes them especially harmful to heart and blood vessel health.

Which foods were most likely to contain trans fat?

Before the phase out, trans fat was common in stick margarine, shortening, packaged baked goods, microwave popcorn, frozen pizza, coffee creamers, and many fried fast foods.

Are other countries working to eliminate trans fat?

Yes. The World Health Organization has called for global elimination of industrially produced trans fat, and many countries have passed limits or bans on partially hydrogenated oils in their food supply.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Much has changed since this study appeared. In 2015 the FDA ruled that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of artificial trans fat, were no longer generally recognized as safe, and manufacturers were given until 2018 - with some extensions into 2020 - to remove them from the food supply. Yet the labeling loophole Brandt highlighted has not gone away: a serving with less than half a gram can still be listed as zero, and small amounts of trans fat also occur naturally in meat and dairy. The practical takeaway still stands - read the ingredient list, not just the nutrition panel, and pay attention to serving sizes, since eating two or three servings of a zero-labeled product can quietly add up. For people managing heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, those small hidden amounts matter more than the front-of-package claims suggest.*

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.