Well, California is officially the first state to ban trans-fats in restaurants’ food preparation. Governor Schwarzenegger signed the bill, making it illegal for restaurants or other retail food establishments to use any oil, shortening, or margarine that contains trans-fats (also known as hydrogenated oils). The Governor made a statement where he linked trans fats to coronary heart disease.
While New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Montgomery County, Maryland have city ordinances banning trans fats, California is the first state to adopt the law which will take effect on January 1, 2009 for fried foods. However, restaurants will be allowed to use trans fats in deep-fry yeast dough and cake batter until 2011. Violators of the law will face fines from $25-$1,000. Any food item sold in a manufacturer’s sealed package is exempt from the law.
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This is actually good news for all the restaurant aficionados out there. I am all about healthier lifestyles but the ban might be towing the line.
I’m all about trying to live healthier, but punishing those of us who can stay healthy and still enjoy unhealthy foods makes me frown.
“who can stay Healthy while still enjoying “Unhealthy” foods? Does this make sense? or was it a typo?
This is great news!!!! California may have financial problems galore, but this law to protect the health of its citizens is fantastic! It’t nice to know that eating a bean burrito from a fast-food restaurant will be safe because the beans were’t refried in lard or a transfat oil