Food additive databaseFats and other ingredientsChecked 2026-09-27
Shortening / margarine ショートニング・マーガリン
Labeled as a foodStricter rules abroad
- Purpose
- gives a crisp or moist texture
- On the label
- “ショートニング” (shortening), “マーガリン” (margarine), “ファットスプレッド” (fat spread)
Flagged additives are marked when you use the Ingredient Checker (choose others).
In Japan
- Depending on how they are made, they may contain trans fatty acids.
- In Japan, there is no obligation to label the amount of trans fatty acids.
Under stricter rules abroad
Category: Stricter rules abroad
- From 2021, the EU limits trans fatty acids to 2 g per 100 g of fat, excluding those naturally present in animal fat (EU Regulation 2019/649).
- As a rule, the US FDA no longer allows partially hydrogenated oils to be used in food (effective 2018).
- In 2018, WHO called on countries to eliminate industrially produced trans fatty acids from food.
Related pages
Sources
- Food Labeling Standards (Cabinet Office Ordinance No. 10 of 2015) (Japanese)
- EU Regulation 2019/649 (EUR-Lex)
- WHO (World Health Organization)
- US FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
Last checked 2026-09-27. Rules change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.
The categories are not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies.