Food manufacturers want more time to comment on FDA’s early November preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils, the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. FDA’s preliminary determination is based on available scientific evidence, and the agency has requested stakeholder comments by January 7, 2014.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has requested more time, given what it says is the complexity of the issue. In its initial statement, GMA said, “Since 2005, food manufacturers have voluntarily lowered the amounts of trans fats in their food products by over 73 percent.”

 Meanwhile, Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) has introduced the Trans Fat Truth in Labeling Act of 2013, which would change the way trans fat content is accounted for on food labels. His legislation would require trans fat content to be reported on labels, even if it is less than 0.5 grams. Currently, content under that level can be reported as zero trans fat.