Partially hydrogenated oils are shelf-stable, so they're used in a lot of individually-wrapped junk food items. That kind of stuff should be left out of just about any diet.

It used to be the case. It isn't any longer.

It's one of the reasons that packaging got more annoying in recent years.

In addition to consumer preferences, the FDA called for a phase out in 2015: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.ht...

If you're saying the phase-out is really happening and widespread, that's great. Nothing could make me happier. Partially hydrogenated oils are basically poison. I've noticed them falling off the ingredients list of some of the junk in the store.

Yes, it's real.

For example:

https://www.generalmills.com/Health/improving-health/reducin...

The consumer preference things is real too. Here's Kraft working to avoid "trans fats" on their labels in 2005:

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Kraft-slashes-tr...