Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref. : EIC 111/2/19

15 December 2023

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 897/2023

US : FDA's Confirmation of Effective Date on Revocation of Uses of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register (FR) of 14 December 2023 a direct final rule announcing the confirmation of the effective date of 22 December 2023 on the revocation of uses of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) in foods.

2.On 9 August 2023, the FDA issued a direct final rule amending its regulations that provide for the use of PHOs given its determination that PHOs are no longer generally recognised as safe (GRAS) and revoking pre-1958 authorisation of certain uses for the use of PHOs in margarine, shortening, and bread, rolls, and buns based on its conclusion that these uses of PHOs may be injurious to health. This notice confirms the effective date of 22 December 2023 for the direct final rule of 9 August 2023.

3.For details, please refer to the FR notice at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-12-14/pdf/2023-27506.pdf.

ENQUIRIES

4.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss K Y HO at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Kwany KOU)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

Note: While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.