"This action will save many thousands of lives," wrote Susan Mayne, director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Partially hydrogenated oils, the main ingredient in trans fats, have been used to preserve food.

Scientists have linked trans fats to artery-clogging bad cholesterol.

Food manufacturers have voluntarily reduced trans fat over the years but grocery shoppers will still find it in some products.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has made a Trans Fat Wall of Shame Pinterest board of foods still containing the offending ingredient.