Killer Fat Banned in New York City

In a historical decision supported by the American Diabetes Association, the New York City Board of Health officials unanimously decided to ban trans fat in all its restaurants. Trans fat contains bad cholesterol and is linked to heart diseases, which is considered to be the leading cause of most diabetes-related deaths.

The ban, scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2007, will affect 10% of all New York restaurants. The board hopes to stop the use of all artificial trans fat by July 2008.

Health-conscious consumers applaud this decision but chefs find it restricting, saying that it will be difficult for them to replicate the particular taste produced when certain foods are cooked with trans fat-containing substances such as vegetable oils, margarines and vegetable shortenings. These foods include French fries, fried chicken, donuts, pizzas, pancakes and even hot chocolate mixes.

Restaurants, especially those serving fast foods, are allowed six months “to switch to oils, margarines and shortening used for frying and spreading that have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. After 18 months, all other food items – including all margarines and shortenings – must contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.”

A three-month grace period will be given to all restaurants for food in the 6 month phase-out and 18 month category phase out. After the expiration of the grace period, restaurants will be fined for violating the new law.

"Our nation is facing an epidemic of diabetes and when you consider that many American adults -- and their children -- are eating out several times a week, it is even more difficult to avoid trans fats and maintain a healthy diet," said Dr. Peter Sheehan, President of the American Diabetes Association's New York City Leadership Council. "For the more than 700,000 New York City adults diagnosed with diabetes, the passage of this proposal eliminates a major source of artificial trans fats and should serve as a model for other cities to consider."

New York restaurants are also required by the new law to include in their menus and menu boards the calorie content of all their foods to promote health awareness in the public.