(HealthDay)—Nine percent of top-selling packaged food products in the United States contain partially hydrogenated oils, with most of these products reporting 0 grams of trans fat per serving, according to a study published Aug. 28 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.

Jenifer Clapp, M.P.A., from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and colleagues estimated the prevalence of partially hydrogenated oils in 4,340 top-selling packaged foods in the United Sates. Data were obtained from the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI) Packaged Food Database.

The researchers found that 9 percent of products listed partially hydrogenated oils in their ingredient information. Of these products, 16 percent reported trans fat content per serving in excess of 0 grams or 0.5 grams per serving, while 84 percent listed trans fat as 0 grams per serving.

"Government efforts to eliminate partially hydrogenated oils from packaged foods will substantially reduce exposure to this known factor," the authors write.

The NSRI Packaged Food Database was supported by donors, including the WK Kellogg Foundation.

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