Tranny Fats Banned in California (Jul 26, 2008)

Just Friday, The Govenator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has signed legislation banning transfats from being served in restauraunts, bakeries, and other retail food establishments. That means that nobody can use oil, margarine, or shortening that contains trans fats in their foods.

Cities such as New York city and Philadelphis have banned artery-clogging trans fats a while ago.

It's a good move because with less trans fats being unwittingly consumed by poor consunmers who could afford only cheap fast food eats, it would go a long way to take some of the burden off of the high cost of health care.

“Today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California,” the governor said in a statement, noting that consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease.

The bill's author, Democratic Assemblyman Tony Mendoza of Artesia, said he hoped the legislation would lead to similar laws in other states.

California and Oregon already have laws banning trans fats in school food.

The legislation signed by Schwarzenegger will take effect Jan, 1, 2010, for oil, shortening and margarine used in spreads or for frying. Restaurants could continue using trans fats to deep fry yeast dough and in cake batter until Jan. 1, 2011.

Time is running out for the restaurants to find a substitute for establishments to find oils and margarines that are trans fat-free.

Trans fats occur naturally in small amounts in meat and dairy products. Most trans fats are created when vegetable oil is treated with hydrogen to create baked and fried goods with a longer shelf life. Trans fat has been reported to be a larger health risk than saturated fat because it reduces so-called good cholesterol or HDL.

A 2006 review of trans fat studies by the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that a strong connection between consumption of trans fats and heart disease were present. Trans fats were linked to diabetes, obesity, infertility in women and some types of cancer according to studies. There are no safe levels of consumption of trans fats.

When the law takes effect, it will be a tremdous help on our escalating cost of health care because the elimination of a hidden poision in the foods will no longer be allowed to be sold in the state.

Restaurants already are phasing out trans fats to satisfy customers.

Violations can result in fines of $25 to $1,000. Food items sold in their manufacturers' sealed packaging would be exempt.