Los Angeles County Studies Trans Fat Ban
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to create a task force of public health officials to study the possibility of banning artificial trans fats in restaurants in the county, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The Nutrition and Physical Activity Task Force will complete its report by Jan. 30.
The task force has been ordered to discuss the possible ban with the restaurant industry and community health organizations. Officials also will determine whether the county can enforce a ban at restaurants countywide or only in unincorporated areas (Anderson, Los Angeles Daily News, 1/10).
The Los Angeles City Council in December 2006 asked for a report on how trans fats could be restricted in restaurants.
Jot Condie, president of the 22,000-member California Restaurant Association, said that banning trans fats "has more cons than pros" but that he is open to suggestions.
FDA in January 2006 began requiring that trans fat content be listed on all packaged foods. The New York City Board of Health last year voted to ban trans fats in restaurants (Los Angeles Times, 1/10).