Battle Over Trans Fats Heads West

Los Angeles County May Follow New York City In Imposing Ban

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

Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to study the feasibility of banning artificial trans fats from restaurants there. The City Council in December had asked for similar report on at least restricting them.

"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 Association, said he is 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 percent of the average American diet, and also is not healthy, but that also needs to be taken in moderation," Condie asked.

Since January 2006, 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.

[ladyephesus1]

gosh, i love french fries from mcdonalds too.

[cyberus-2009]

Worst part of the trans'fat ban is its pointlessness.
Resturants are banned from using trans-fat productis in cooking while companies making foods with trans-fats can not only still sell them, but they are adjusting "serving size" to use the loophole in rounding to claim "ZERO TRANS-FAT (per serving)".
Worried about trans-fat? Ignore whats on the front .. look at the ingredients, if the word "hydrogenated" appears with "oil" then the food contains trans-fat PERIOD.

[swiftyj1]

Yet another case of government telling private property owners what they can and can't do on their property. If I own a business and decide to sell products containing trans fat (or if I decide to allow smoking) that should be my right. Consumers or potential employees would have the coice of either patronizing or seeking employment at my establishment or not.

It's called Freedom of Choice...and it may not last much longer!

[jimmyc1955]

Another case where "do gooders" decide what is best for people who can decide for themselves. We ban smoking, transfats . .. do we now regulate that people must join gyms?? What about going to the dentist or making a law to get rectal exams???

I am rather tired of having my choices removed by people who don't know me and who somehow feel entitled to tell me how to live, what to eat and what risks I am allowed to take.

Why shouldn't I eat french fries made with grease that has trans fats in it??? Frankly - mind your own business. If you don't want it don't eat it - same as sky diving and base jumping. But don't outlaw it so I can't. Or are you just so much smarter and every body else is too stupid to decide for themselves???

[jimmyc1955]

Another case where "do gooders" decide what is best for people who can decide for themselves. We ban smoking, transfats . .. do we now regulate that people must join gyms?? What about going to the dentist or making a law to get rectal exams???

I am rather tired of having my choices removed by people who don't know me and who somehow feel entitled to tell me how to live, what to eat and what risks I am allowed to take.

Why shouldn't I eat french fries made with grease that has trans fats in it??? Frankly - mind your own business. If you don't want it don't eat it - same as sky diving and base jumping. But don't outlaw it so I can't. Or are you just so much smarter and every body else is too stupid to decide for themselves???

[jimmyc1955]

I know this is a complaint about repoting but . .
this sentence is exactly why I have problems with modern journalists.

"Trans fats, listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, are believed to be harmful because they wreak havoc with cholesterol levels."

What exactly is "wreak havoc?" and who is it that believes this? You sight no authority and define nothing. Why don't you assume we can indeed think and give us enough information to decide for ourselves rather than write the story in such a way as the question is a fore gone conclusion.

[syphlis]

why don't all you selfish, fat, grease loving mcfatticakes wake up and realize this is actually going to do a lot of good for many people and possibly saves lives in some cases instead of worrying about your own gluttonous fat *****.

[jimmyc1955]

I get it - because somebody doesn't look, act or behave as you and your associates "Know" is the right manner - you will insult, ridicule and then dictate to them how to live.

Assumptions in your post:

selfish - If I choose to eat something you don%u2019t' like why is that selfish?

fat - an arrogant stereotype don't you think?


mcfatticakes - so - are you enjoying middle school now?

lot of good for many people and possibly saves -

So you feel so superior that you will decide for others what is best for them. Who exactly are the people who are too ignorant to decide for themselves and you have to take their choices away to keep them from hurting themselves???


So - in the spirit of constructive criticism you have created:

Why don't you narcissistic, self indulgent, arrogant, self righteous, spoiled brats mind your business and let me live my life as I choose?

[swiftyj1]

Hey Syphlis: I am neither fat nor selfish. I just don't want the Government telling private citizens what they can and can't serve in their establishments and what I can or can't eat. For the record, I don't smoke and try to avoid in indulging in too many fats. However, I will defend the rights of those who wish to partake in possibly detrimental activities. What are they going to ban next - sugar? TV watching?

[swiftyj1]

Amen, jimmyc1955!

[syphlis]

Jimmy fatass Mcfatticakes..

The horrible truth is people will keep eating these trans fats because they don't see any other options and/or are addicted to these types of foods, so yes, this ban will benefit society to have this forced on it even if it seems unconstitutional, so shut the f*ck up and go shove a greasy cow down your throat, ***


I DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS, LEARN TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES OR *** LIKE THIS HAPPENS MOTHER F**CKERS

[swiftyj1]

Hey Syphlis, do you kiss your momma with that mouth?

Why don't we ban expletives? Or, better yet, why not ban people who can't seem to argue their points without resorting to mean spirited attacks?

[gaye5]

swiftyj1 yes you do have a right, but you also have a responsibility.. and freedom of choice doesnt not take away my responsibility to protect others..
jimmyc1955, unfortunately there are far to many people who are irresponsible, and yes if they want to eat trans fats it is over to them as long as they are not trying to have a heart transplant when my child needs help for something serious and is taking the money that would be spent on my child..
And Jimmy, it isnt about deciding what is good for us it is about not allowing the production of something that is dangerious for us, that kills us. So you obviously think it is ok for manafacturers to put a bit of arsnic in our foods if it suits them, as it gives our food a bit more taste,, NO YOU WONT eh as it kills, so does trans fats... slowly...it also causes cancer, blindness etc..