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US debates 'hidden' food fats ban US debates 'hidden' food fats ban
(about 4 hours later)
Public hearings to discuss a plan to ban an ingredient called trans fatty acids from restaurants across New York are expected to begin on Monday.Public hearings to discuss a plan to ban an ingredient called trans fatty acids from restaurants across New York are expected to begin on Monday.
The US city's health department says trans-fats are a serious health hazard.The US city's health department says trans-fats are a serious health hazard.
For years health officials in New York have identified trans-fats as a food ingredient which can clog arteries and cause serious health problems.For years health officials in New York have identified trans-fats as a food ingredient which can clog arteries and cause serious health problems.
Some restaurateurs will argue that a ban would be expensive to enforce and insist consumers should have a choice.Some restaurateurs will argue that a ban would be expensive to enforce and insist consumers should have a choice.
Informed choiceInformed choice
For more than a year there has been a voluntary programme for the city's 20,000 restaurants and fast food outlets to remove trans-fats from the food they serve.For more than a year there has been a voluntary programme for the city's 20,000 restaurants and fast food outlets to remove trans-fats from the food they serve.
TRANS-FAT Made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oilCan be found in some vegetable shortenings sometimes used in snacksRaises cholesterol Source: FDA TRANS-FATS They are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, turning oily foods into semi-solid foodsUsed to extend shelf life of productsPut into pastries, cakes, margarine and some fast foodsCan raise levels of "bad" cholesterolEven a small reduction in consumption can cut heart diseaseThey have no nutritional benefit
Clearly that has not been as successful as was hoped and now there is to be a series of public hearings to discuss a proposed new law which would ban all but the most minute traces of trans-fats from New York's menus.Clearly that has not been as successful as was hoped and now there is to be a series of public hearings to discuss a proposed new law which would ban all but the most minute traces of trans-fats from New York's menus.
The city's health commissioner, Thomas Frieden, says that trans-fats are invisible and dangerous and once they are gone they would not be missed.The city's health commissioner, Thomas Frieden, says that trans-fats are invisible and dangerous and once they are gone they would not be missed.
In a separate initiative, his department is also recommending that the calorie content of each item on a menu should be printed alongside it.In a separate initiative, his department is also recommending that the calorie content of each item on a menu should be printed alongside it.
Officials say that many New Yorkers get at least a third of their calories from food eaten outside the home and they should be making a more informed choice about what they consume.Officials say that many New Yorkers get at least a third of their calories from food eaten outside the home and they should be making a more informed choice about what they consume.