09-28-2006, 06:34 PM
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#2
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Guest
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Quote:
New York City announces
proposal to ban trans fats!
On September 26, 2006, the New York City Health Department proposed for public comment two separate initiatives that will affect New York City restaurants.
The first initiative is a partial phase-out of artificial trans fat in all New York City restaurants. This proposal allows restaurants six months to switch to oils, margarines and shortening that have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. After 18 months, all other food items would need to contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Packaged food items still in the manufacturer’s original packaging when served would be exempt.
Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, said, "If New Yorkers replace all sources of artificial trans fat, by even the most conservative estimates, at least 500 deaths from heart disease would be prevented each year in New York City – more than the number of people killed annually in motor vehicle crashes. Based on long-term studies, the number of preventable deaths may be many times higher. Trans fat from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is a toxic substance that does not belong in food."
Switching to trans fat-free frying oil does not increase costs. The trans fat-free frying oils available today taste just as good and have fry lives just as long as partially hydrogenated oils. There is no justification for continuing to use partially hydrogenated oils. Period. If you are a restaurant owner or manager and you need information about obtaining trans fat-free oils, contact us.
Why not encourage restaurants to switch to trans fat-free products volunatarily? In fact, New York City has had a voluntary program since August 2005, based on educating restaurant owners and managers about the problem. However, the results have not been positive. The City states in its press release:
The Health Department conducted a year-long education campaign to help restaurants voluntarily reduce trans fat. Information was provided to every restaurant in New York City and training was provided to help restaurants and food suppliers make the change. Restaurants were surveyed before and after the campaign. While some restaurants reduced or stopped using artificial trans fat, overall use did not decline at all. In restaurants where it could be determined whether trans fat was used, half used it in oils or spreads both before and after the year-long campaign. A year after this voluntary effort, New Yorkers are still being exposed to high levels of dangerous trans fat.
The second initiative would require restaurants that already make calorie content publicly available on or after March 1, 2007 to also post it on their menus and menu boards.
There will be a public hearing on the initiatives on October 30, 2006.
Click here for the New York City Health Department media release.
Click here to read the New York City Health Department trans fat proposal, including instructions on how to submit comments.
Click here for a New York Times article in which restaurant owners in New York who have switched to trans fat-free oils are interviewed and report that there is no change in taste or increase in costs.
Click here to listen to a National Public Radio interview with the New York City Health Commissioner regarding the proposed ban.
Other trans fat-free cities news
Tiburon, California:
America's first trans fat-free city!
Tiburon, California was America's first trans fat-free city. Project Tiburon was conceived and completed by BanTransFats.com in 2004. We went to every restaurant and talked with the owners or managers. We assisted those that were using partially hydrogenated oils in making the switch to trans fat-free oils.
Westchester County is doing it
Another trans fat-free zone has been formed in Westchester County where 125 restaurants have agreed not to use partially hydrogenated oil.
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I told you anti-tobacco/freedom loons that this was next...
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