Tasty fries may prove fatal

New York City might soon face a ban on the use of artery-clogging trans fat at restaurants. The city’s Health Department has proposed imposing a near ban on use of trans fat. The proposal comes after a year-long campaign to educate restaurants owners from using trans fat failed.

A common ingredient of fast foods like fries, cookies, chips, baked goods and processed foods, the artificial trans fat is invisible in food and thus dangerous.

The trans fat, also known as ‘partially hydrogenated vegetable oils’, when heated in the presence of oxygen, changes its molecular structure to a solid. This solid structure enables it to accumulate in the arteries, thereby hardening them.

The trans fat also raises the low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood and cuts the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL). This becomes the major cause of heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Health Commissioner, Thomas Frieden strongly felt that certain steps should be taken to control this health disorder pandemic. "The largest single cause of premature death in our city is heart disease. We cannot wave a magic wand and change that. By taking artificial trans fats out of our restaurant environment we can significantly reduce health risks for all New Yorkers” he said.

The New York City's Health Department would limit the use of harmful trans fat to 0.5 grams per serving. At present, the average daily consumption of trans fat in America varies from 6 grams to 10 grams.

Under the proposal, restaurants would need to get artificial trans fats out of cooking oils, margarine by July 1, 2007, and in all other foodstuffs by July 1, 2008. The authorities also want restaurants to serve standard sized portions along with their calorie content information. Violators may be fined an amount ranging from $200 to $2,000.

Although, it is not yet approved by the Board of Health, hearing of the proposal is fixed for October 30 with an expected vote on it in December.