Whole Foods Market does not sell products containing partially hydrogenated oils, the primary source of artificial trans fats, and the focus of a recent Food and Drug Administration proposal to remove them from the food supply.
Last week, the FDA issued a preliminary determination indicating that partially hydrogenated oils should no longer be “generally recognized as safe” for use in food.
Whole Foods Market's quality standards already prohibit the use of partially hydrogenated oils.
“Shoppers who are looking to avoid artificial trans fats can shop with confidence at our 367 stores as we pledged many years ago to not carry them,” said Margaret Wittenberg, vice president of Quality Standards for Whole Foods Market.
In fact, the company rejecting artificial trans fats is emblematic of how it develops its quality standards and its unacceptable ingredients list.
“We keep current on emerging food issues, listen to our customers and work with our supplier partners to create new products and alternative production methods that help support the well-being of consumers and our environment,” Wittenberg said. “We’re dedicated to helping our shoppers make informed choices and providing the highest quality foods available.”