California to ban trans fats

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California will be the first state to ban trans fats in restaurants and bakeries under legislation signed yesterday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The measure requires restaurants to quit using trans fats by January 2010, and for bakeries to follow suit one year later.

"Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California," Schwarzenegger said in a written statement.

The legislation, Assembly Bill 97, was proposed by Democratic Assemblyman Tony Mendoza of Artesia and opposed by most Republicans.

Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, can increase the shelf life and flavor stability of foods but have been linked to heart disease by medical research.

The substance often is found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, cookies, crackers and other products made with, or fried in, partially hydrogenated oils, according to a state Senate analysis.

Eateries that violate the new law would be subject to fines ranging from $25 to $1,000.

Mendoza's bill does not apply to trans fats in packaged goods sold in stores.

The California Restaurant Association had opposed AB 97 as a "very narrow and misleading approach to a much larger health issue."

Banning trans fats, without taking other steps, will not significantly improve Californians' health, the restaurant association said in a letter.

Reducing use of trans fats could increase the use of saturated fats and other alternatives that "may have the same negative health impacts," the group said.

Ethnic-food restaurants could be hit particularly hard by a ban on trans fats, because some of their entrees are difficult to prepare with substitutes, the restaurant association added.

Daniel Conway, spokesman for the restaurant association, indicated that the bill will not wreak havoc on restaurateurs.

"Given the fact that our industry is already moving away from trans fats in response to some of the wishes and desires of our customers, and given the delayed implementation of AB 97, we're confident that our members will be able to meet the mandates of the bill," he said.

New York City and Philadelphia have ordinances banning trans fats, but Schwarzenegger's office said that California was the first state to adopt such a law.