Ban on trans fats in eateries ?

[S.A.M.]

NYC mulls ban on trans fats in eateries

The city health department unveiled a proposal Tuesday that would bar cooks at any of the city's 24,600 food service establishments from using ingredients that contain the artery-clogging substance, commonly listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated oil.

Artificial trans fats are found in some shortenings, margarine and frying oils and turn up in foods from pie crusts to french fries to doughnuts.

Doctors agree that trans fats are unhealthy in nearly any amount, but a spokesman for the restaurant industry said he was stunned the city would seek to ban a legal ingredient found in millions of American kitchens.

He said the proposal could create havoc: Cooks would be forced to discard old recipes and scrutinize every ingredient in their pantry. A restaurant could face a fine if an inspector finds the wrong type of vegetable shortening on its shelves.

The proposal also would create a huge problem for national chains. Among the fast foods that would need to get an overhaul or face a ban: McDonald's french fries, Kentucky Fried Chicken and several varieties of Dunkin' Donuts.

Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden acknowledged that the ban would be a challenge for restaurants, but he said trans fats can easily be replaced with substitute oils that taste the same or better and are far less unhealthy.

"It is a dangerous and unnecessary ingredient," Frieden said. "No one will miss it when it's gone."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060927/ap_on_he_me/diet_trans_fat_ban


Comments?

 

[vslayer]

its about time they tried to cut down on the obesity problem.

 

[francois]

I'm not too worried about it. Trans fat hasn't been around all that long. We'll do alright, considering how hi-tech the food industry is.

 

[S.A.M.]

I'm not too worried about it. Trans fat hasn't been around all that long. We'll do alright, considering how hi-tech the food industry is.

Its been around long enough, as margarine, shortening, any kind of vegetable fat that is hydrogenated.

Here is some general information:

http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/transfat/q_a.html

 

[Roman]

Ugh, fucking fascists. Why should the government get to tell me what I'm allowed to eat?

 

[S.A.M.]

Latest information on effects of trans fats:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/industrial_transfats.html

In a review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on April 13, 2006,(1) the researchers detail evidence linking trans fats consumption to increased risk of coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death, and diabetes. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils have harmful effects on blood lipids, promote inflammation, and cause blood-vessel abnormalities, all of which are risk factors for heart disease.

"The effect and magnitude of adverse health effects of trans fatty acids are in fact far stronger on average than those of food contaminants or pesticide residues, which have in some cases received considerable attention," the authors write. "Complete or near-complete avoidance of industrially produced trans fats…may be necessary to avoid adverse health effects and would be prudent to minimize risks."

 

[Roman]

People would live longer if we completely removed freedom of choice. Lobotomies, soma & robot overlords for all?

 

[S.A.M.]

Ugh, fucking fascists. Why should the government get to tell me what I'm allowed to eat?

They'll replace the trans fat with PUFA, which will be better for your health.
So you'll still get the foods except they wont use artificially hydrogenated fats.

 

[S.A.M.]

Major Food Sources of Trans Fat for American Adults
(Average Daily Trans Fat Intake is 5.8 Grams or 2.6 Percent of Calories)

 

[redarmy11]

I bet they don't taste as good made with healthy fats. Like alcohol-free beer. They're my arteries and I demand full control over their cholestrol levels.

 

[Roman]

Will this PUFA cost the same (or less) and be as delicious (or more) than trans-fats?

Otherwise, I demand these Nazis to stop burning my flag while wiping their assholes with the Constitution!

 

[S.A.M.]

Will this PUFA cost the same (or less) and be as delicious (or more) than trans-fats?

Otherwise, I demand these Nazis to stop burning my flag while wiping their assholes with the Constitution!

PUFA is made from corn or soya (for large scale markets)- they are liquid oils.

Will you stop eating burgers and fries if they cost more?

 

[Roman]

PUFA is made from corn or soya (for large scale markets)- they are liquid oils.

Will you stop eating burgers and fries if they cost more?

I will have to eat fewer burgers and fries. But aren't trans-fats from vegetables and industrially produced?

These bastards are ruining my utility.

 

[invert_nexus]

they are liquid oils.

Which will affect the texture and the consistency of the food.
There is a reason why solid fats are used rather than liquid, you know.

Of course, lard can always be used to get that old texture back, but then we're at the issue of extra cost plus shortened shelf life.


Do you think taste is all important? Isn't texture also important?

But, you're from India, right? You probably can't taste anything after eating all that curry anyway....

 

[volpeculus sagacis]

They'll replace the trans fat with PUFA, which will be better for your health.
So you'll still get the foods except they wont use artificially hydrogenated fats.

Can't we just have both kinds of fat without the pastoral influence of "Them"? I'm attempting to gravitate towards less trans fat in my diet as well , but I'm not going to categorically ban something just because I dislike it.

 

[S.A.M.]

But, you're from India, right? You probably can't taste anything after eating all that curry anyway....

I cook everything I eat.

And you're right, there is no texture or taste in fast food.

I can't see the attraction, honestly.

 

[S.A.M.]

Can't we just have both kinds of fat without the pastoral influence of "Them"? I'm attempting to gravitate towards less trans fat in my diet as well , but I'm not going to categorically ban something just because I dislike it.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States.

Age of onset is getting lower and lower.

Medical costs higher and higher.

What would you suggest the government do?

I'm an advocate of preventive nutrition, so I fully support this move.

Its interesting to see the responses though.

Apparently immediate gratification is of much greater value than long term health.

 

[volpeculus sagacis]

Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States.

Age of onset is getting lower and lower.

Medical costs higher and higher.

What would you suggest the government do?

I'm an advocate of preventive nutrition, so I fully support this move.

Its interesting to see the responses though.

Apparently immediate gratification is of much greater value than long term health.

You know, consumers could always eat something other than fast food one night. That's the beauty of freedom of choice.

Or they could eat it, and perhaps exercise or simply deal with the health consequences. You can't control an entire population's consumption of a substance without chipping away at civil liberties ...

 

[invert_nexus]

And you're right, there is no texture or taste in fast food.

Look back up at that pie chart of yours. 40% of trans fats are from cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, bread.
Why?
Texture.
You can't get the flakey crust of an excellent apple pie with this ... Pufa. How about if we call it pewwwwwfa?
I'm not sure if lard would be an adequate substitute either. I'm no pastry chef, I'm afraid. Not sure if the use of shortening is based on cost, shelf life, or result.

One thing I do know is that it's just not right that the French can't smoke in public places...

 

[volpeculus sagacis]

One thing I do know is that it's just not right that the French can't smoke in public places...

Reminds me of the Louvre digitally blurring out Sartre's cigarette... as though the very image of tobacco could tempt us weaker ones...