Trans Fat- What's Going To Happen To Choice?

Just an FYI in case you're not keeping up with what is going on in the food choice world. The below article was published in the L.A. Times last week (1/11/07). Basically what it boils down to is that some cities like New York have banned trans fats in restaurant food(as a side line- some cities like Chicago have banned foie gras- duck/goose abuse?). Banning of trans fats is targeted at saving us from heart disease, minimizing financial burdens on health care systems and protecting our children from these diseases.

Yes we know trans fats aren't good for us and so are a lot of other things like excessive alcohol, high saturated fat diets, excessive sugar, cigarrette smoking, junk food and the list goes on. But what is important is that you have a choice. As long as you know it is present (labeling is a must) you can make your own decision on whether to ingest. You can only hurt yourself physically (and a few loved ones as a consequence). Banning trans fats means no choice. Some would argue that many in the U.S. can not make the "right" choice and so they need beauracrats to do it for them. I believe trans fats are bad, should not be eaten, are hazardous to your health and I make a choice to limit how much I ingest. I do not believe it is a matter of law. As noted in the article- what will be banned next- butter? cream? cheese? or even bacon?

I don't ordinarily get on a soap box and voice my opinions but this prompted me. I'm willing to bet you are all aware of the hazards of trans fats in our diet, but do you think there should be laws against their use in our food supply or should you have a choice based on informed decision making?

L.A. County to study trans fat ban
Feasibility of keeping the ingredient out of restaurant foods will be reviewed with industry and health groups.
From the Associated Press
January 11, 2007


The government war on trans fat, started when New York City banned it from restaurant food, has reached Los Angeles.

County supervisors have voted to study the feasibility of banning artificial trans fats from restaurants, and the City Council in December had asked for a similar report on at least restricting it.

"I'm very concerned about the whole trans fat issue," Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke said after Tuesday's vote for the study. "Every time I buy something, I look to see if it has trans fat."

Public health officials will be asked to review the issue with the restaurant industry and community health organizations, and to study whether the county can regulate trans fats at restaurants countywide or just in unincorporated areas.

Jot Condie, president of the 22,000-member California Restaurant Assn., said he's open to suggestions but believes banning something widely used in homes "has more cons than pros."

"What's next? Butter, cheese or anything that has saturated fat, which accounts for 15% of the average American diet, and also is not healthy, but that also needs to be taken in moderation?" Condie asked.

Since last January, the Food and Drug Administration has required that trans fat content be listed on all packaged foods. Trans fats, listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, are believed to be harmful because they wreak havoc with cholesterol levels.

Last year, the New York City Board of Health voted to ban trans fats in restaurants and to require food labels on menus at all chain restaurants that already provide calorie information.