| In New York City, they have recently put into action | | | | The New York City legislation will require that the |
| a plan to phase out the use of artificial trans fats in | | | | calorie listings be placed in an open location, so that |
| all food service businesses. This is a great idea and I | | | | customers are forced to see the calories before |
| am glad to hear that other states are planning to | | | | they purchase the food. |
| start the same legislation. | | | | The Big Apple |
| Artificial trans fats are the worst type of fats, | | | | I like New York City's proactive regulations to |
| because they: | | | | improve overall public health. This has probably been |
| * Increase your LDL (bad) cholesterol | | | | influenced by New York City's Mayor Michael |
| * Decrease your HDL (good) cholesterol | | | | Bloomberg, who is a known health enthusiast. |
| Artificial trans fats increase your risk of heart disease | | | | New York City has banned smoking in restaurants |
| more than saturated fat do. | | | | and bars. They have made purchasing cigarettes a |
| New York City's plan | | | | burden by taxing them heavily. Now they are |
| On July 1, 2007 New York City's plan went into | | | | eliminating artificial trans fats and forcing restaurants |
| action. On that day, the city officially banned the use | | | | to disclose their calorie counts. It is a beautiful thing. |
| of artificial trans fats for frying, sauteing, grilling and | | | | We need Food Police |
| spreading. There is an exception for products with | | | | Americans are not helping themselves. Two out of |
| less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. | | | | every three Americans is overweight and that |
| It has been difficult to find a replacement for artificial | | | | percentage is increasing. Childhood obesity is also |
| trans fats for baking, so food services are still | | | | becoming a bigger problem every day. We are not |
| allowed to use trans fats for deep frying cake batter | | | | taking the necessary steps to police ourselves, so I |
| and yeast dough. However, as of July 1, 2008, the | | | | think it is great that the government is getting |
| bakers will also have to eliminate artificial trans fats. | | | | involved. |
| The only exceptions to the rule are foods served in | | | | Many people will argue that what they eat is their |
| the manufacturer's original sealed packaging. So, they | | | | personal business. However, it is now obvious that |
| are allowed to sell a sealed bag of potato chips | | | | Americans' poor health is hurting everyone. |
| regardless of how much trans fat it contains. | | | | The restaurants and food service businesses are |
| Calorie disclosure | | | | fighting the new legislation. Obviously, they are |
| New York City has also passed legislation to force | | | | fighting to protect their profit margins and not our |
| the fast-food chain restaurants to display their food's | | | | health. |
| calorie count in an open area. | | | | I hope the New York City plan works and more cities |
| Many of the fast-food restaurants have been | | | | adopt similar policies. Many people will not appreciate |
| displaying their calorie counts for years. However, | | | | these laws today, but our grandchildren and great |
| most of them displayed them in obscure places or | | | | grandchildren will. |
| only on their websites | | | | |