Adds A Dietarily Insignificant Amount Of Trans Fat

The statement "Adds A Dietarily Insignificant Amount Of Trans Fat" indicates that a food product contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fatty acid that can occur naturally in small amounts in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals, or be artificially created through a process called partial hydrogenation of liquid vegetable oils.

While artificial trans fats were historically used to improve food texture, flavor, and shelf life, especially in baked goods and fried foods, they are now largely removed from the food supply. The presence of a "dietarily insignificant amount" means that any trans fat in the product is not intentionally added in significant quantities for a functional purpose, but rather exists in trace amounts, possibly from residual ingredients or natural sources.

The FDA determined that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary source of artificial trans fat, are no longer "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) as of 2018, effectively removing most artificial trans fat from the US food supply. Consumption of trans fat, particularly artificial trans fat, is known to raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. JECFA has evaluated trans fat and recommends that intake be as low as possible. The "dietarily insignificant" label means the amount present is considered too small to pose a significant health risk per serving, though cumulative intake from multiple servings or products could add up.