What has to be done to a plant oil to make it trans fat?

To create trans fats from plant oils, a process called hydrogenation is used. This involves adding hydrogen gas to the oil in the presence of a catalyst, which alters the chemical structure of the fatty acids. This process can convert some of the unsaturated fats into trans fats, which have a different configuration that can impact health by increasing the risk of Heart disease. Partial hydrogenation is typically the method that results in the formation of trans fats.