The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this week to study the feasibility of banning trans fats in county restaurants, much like New York City, which banned the unhealthy fats from restaurant foods in December last year.
The board of supervisors voted to study a possible ban following a request from the Los Angeles City Council for a report on restricting or fully banning hydrogenated oils from restaurant foods.
Trans fats -- which appear on food labels as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils -- have been linked with high cholesterol and heart disease. The man-made fats are created by injecting oil with hydrogen, which turns the oil solid and increases its shelf life.
Trans fats are typically found in baked and fried foods such as doughnuts, crackers, cookies, breads and potato chips, and in other processed goods such as margarine and salad dressing. Beginning in January 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required food manufacturers to list trans fat content on nutrition information labels.
In LA County, public health officials will examine the difficulty of enforcing a county-wide trans fat ban. Officials will also meet with community health organizations and members of the restaurant industry to discuss a ban.
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