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The facts: Partially Hydrogenated Oils is banned in 5 countries/regions (including United States (FDA revoked GRAS status 2015; compliance deadline June 2018; manufacturing effectively banned), European Union (banned 2021 — maximum 2g trans fat per 100g total fat), Canada (banned 2018), United Kingdom), though the FDA still allows it in the US. We can't tell you whether it's safe for your pregnancy — that's a conversation for your OB-GYN or midwife. What we can do is show you the regulatory facts and flag Partially Hydrogenated Oils on any product's label so you can decide with your provider. Commonly found in: Historical: many stick margarines, Historical: vegetable shortening, Historical: commercial fried foods.
TL;DR: Partially Hydrogenated Oils is restricted in the EU and allowed in the US. Here's what to know if you're pregnant.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level (regulatory) | — |
| Where it shows up | Historical: many stick margarines, Historical: vegetable shortening, Historical: commercial fried foods, Historical: packaged baked goods, Still found in some imported products, Some restaurants in countries without bans |
Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are vegetable oils that have been treated with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst to make them semi-solid at room temperature. This process creates artificial trans fatty acids (trans fats) as a byproduct. They were developed in the early 20th century as a cheaper, longer-lasting alternative to lard and butter.
PHOs were used to create solid fats for baking and frying with long shelf life and high heat stability. They are cheaper than butter or coconut oil and do not need refrigeration. Used for decades in baked goods, fried foods, margarine, and packaged snacks.
Artificial trans fats (from PHOs) have the most well-established cardiovascular harm of any food ingredient ever banned. Multiple large meta-analyses have confirmed that trans fat consumption increases LDL ('bad') cholesterol, decreases HDL ('good') cholesterol, increases inflammatory markers, and significantly raises cardiovascular disease risk. The Harvard Nurses' Health Study and other landmark prospective studies in the 1990s identified trans fat as uniquely harmful — worse than saturated fat in its cardiovascular effects. A 2006 NEJM meta-analysis by Mozaffarian et al. estimated that eliminating artificial trans fats from the US diet could prevent 72,000 to 228,000 heart attacks per year and 30,000 to 100,000 coronary heart disease deaths annually. The WHO estimates that industrially produced trans fats cause over 500,000 cardiovascular deaths per year globally. The FDA revoked PHOs' GRAS status in 2015 based on this evidence, with compliance by 2018. Denmark banned artificial trans fats in 2003, the first country to do so, and observed a dramatic reduction in cardiovascular mortality in subsequent years.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Partially Hydrogenated Oils with citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice and is not pregnancy-specific medical guidance. Consult your OB-GYN or midwife for decisions about your pregnancy.
Yes. Partially Hydrogenated Oils is banned in United States (FDA revoked GRAS status 2015; compliance deadline June 2018; manufacturing effectively banned), European Union (banned 2021 — maximum 2g trans fat per 100g total fat), Canada (banned 2018), United Kingdom, Denmark (first country to ban, 2003). The FDA still allows it in the US.
That's a decision for you and your OB-GYN or midwife — we don't give medical advice. What we can tell you is the regulatory status above. Many people choose to limit additives during pregnancy out of caution; bring this page and its sources to your next appointment.
Commonly found in Historical: many stick margarines, Historical: vegetable shortening, Historical: commercial fried foods, Historical: packaged baked goods, Still found in some imported products, Some restaurants in countries without bans. Scan any product's barcode to check its label for Partially Hydrogenated Oils.
Saturated fats (palm oil, coconut oil, butter) and liquid vegetable oils reformulated through interesterification. High-oleic sunflower, safflower, and canola oils provide heat stability for frying without trans fats. The transition has bee See the pregnancy-conscious swaps below.
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