New York bans fats in restaurants menus

06 December 2006

In possibly the first of its kind law ever passed in the United States, the New York City board of health administration has banned serving preparations containing most artificial trans fats from 1 July, 2007 to combat cholestrol-induced diseases and unhealthy obesity.

Trans fats are synthetically produced and added to some products to add flavour or texture, are cheaper and have a longer shelf life, but play havoc with consumers'' health.

New York''s millionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg, who banned smoking in bars and restaurants during his first term, has backed the new law saying, it could save lives

The law would apply to restaurants, delicatessens, fast food chains and local eateries. With some exceptions, they will be barred from using spreads and frying oils containing artificial trans fats commonly used for frying French fries and fried chicken.

Restaurants will be given a three-month reprieve before they start facing penalties for violating the ban.

Makers of bakery products like doughnuts, cookies and pies and other baked foods that use partially hydrogenated vegetable oil for texture, have been given until July 2008 to enable them to locate suitable substitutes before they too are made to phase out trans fats.