Skip to main content
NutriFactsHub

Label basics

Trans fat, '0 g,' and the PHO removal

Trans fat is the one nutrient the label tells you to keep as low as possible — and the one where '0 g' can mislead. Here is how the rounding works, why there's no %DV, and how the FDA pulled artificial trans fat from the food supply.

Updated June 19, 2026 · 3 min read · Sourced from FDA guidance

Why '0 g' can still mean some trans fat

Trans fat has appeared on the Nutrition Facts label since 2006, but there's a rounding rule: if a serving contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat, it's declared as '0 g.' So a product labeled '0 g trans fat' can still carry up to half a gram per serving — and across several servings that adds up.

The tell is the ingredient list. If you see 'partially hydrogenated oil,' that's the source of artificial trans fat, whatever the panel rounds to. Reading the ingredient list is covered in the label-requirements guide.

Why trans fat has no %DV

Unlike saturated fat or sodium, trans fat carries no % Daily Value. The FDA hasn't set one because experts could not establish a safe reference level — the guidance is simply to keep intake as low as possible. (Total sugars also has no %DV, for a different reason; see how to read the label.)

The PHO removal: artificial trans fat leaves the food supply

The bigger story is upstream of the label. Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) were the primary source of artificial trans fat in processed food. In June 2015 the FDA determined that PHOs are no longer 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) for any use in human food, which reclassified them as food additives needing pre-market approval. Manufacturers had until June 18, 2018 to stop adding PHOs (with limited extensions for some uses), and the FDA later closed remaining loopholes for older authorizations.

The FDA estimated that removing PHOs could prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths each year. In practice, artificial trans fat is now largely gone from the U.S. food supply.

Note

Not all trans fat is artificial. Small amounts occur naturally in meat and dairy from ruminant animals, and that is unaffected by the PHO action — the concern the FDA acted on was the industrially produced kind.

What it means when you read a label

  • Treat '0 g trans fat' as 'less than 0.5 g,' not necessarily zero.
  • Scan the ingredient list for 'partially hydrogenated oil' — though you'll rarely find it now.
  • Keep trans fat as low as possible; there's no 'safe' daily amount on the label.

To see saturated and trans fat on real foods, browse the food nutrition database.

Frequently asked questions

Can a food labeled '0 g trans fat' actually contain trans fat?
Yes. FDA rounding rules let a product with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving declare '0 g.' Several servings can still add up, so check the ingredient list for 'partially hydrogenated oil.'
Why is there no %DV for trans fat?
The FDA hasn't established a Daily Value for trans fat because experts couldn't set a safe reference level. The label simply advises keeping it as low as possible, so no percentage is shown.
What did the FDA do about partially hydrogenated oils?
In June 2015 the FDA determined PHOs are no longer Generally Recognized as Safe for use in human food, reclassifying them as food additives. Manufacturers had until June 18, 2018 (with limited extensions) to stop adding them, effectively removing artificial trans fat from the food supply.
Is all trans fat artificial?
No. Small amounts occur naturally in meat and dairy from ruminant animals. The FDA's PHO action targeted industrially produced trans fat, not these natural traces.

Sources

Related tools & guides

This guide is general educational information, not legal advice, and labeling rules can change. Your obligations depend on your specific products, claims, sales, and state. Verify your situation against the current FDA guidance and eCFR linked above, or consult a qualified food-labeling professional, before printing a label.