February 19, 2007
Philadelphia hopes trans fat ban will reduce heart disease - Philadelphia has become the first city to pass legislation banning the use of trans fat. Just one more step is required: the mayor's signature.
When he signs, Philadelphia eateries will have until September 1, 2007 to rid themselves of foods containing trans fat. Commercial kitchens will have until September 1, 2008 to do the same, but the ban will not apply to prepackaged foods.
Councillor Juan Ramos, who sponsored the unanimously approved bill, expects to be able to measure the impact of a trans fat ban. The result could be as much as a 6% reduction in coronary heart disease, he says.
The city's health department inspectors will enforce the ban, which will affect an estimated 8,000 establishments. No penalties have been designated.
Buffalo brings out its own ban - Erie County, which includes the city of Buffalo, is considering a trans fat ban of its own. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Teachers Federation is lobbying to have trans fat banned from school cafeterias and vending machines.
So far, Buffalo city council has put off a decision on a ban that would cover the city alone. One councillor has also said the county may consider forcing restaurants to indicate on their menus when trans fat is used.
New Orleans stands by its fat - with a few exceptions - It seems the Big Easy won't be swayed easily when it comes to eliminating trans fat. According to restaurateurs including chef Paul Prudhomme, southern style cooking is better with the worse fats. This won't help shrink the waistlines of New Orleans residents, who have made several top 10 lists for overweight and obesity.
However, Louisana-based WOW Cafe and Wingery, which has restaurants in 17 states, announced this month it is switching to canola oil.
For one newspaper's version of which states/cities are enforcing or considering trans fat bans, click here.
Calgary takes the trans fat lead in Canada - Both the Calgary Health Region and Peace Country Health are looking at banning trans fat in their regions. But it looks as though it will be a long process.
“There are a lot of facts to consider before you can (ban trans fats),” says Peace Country Health nutritionist Danielle Wohlgemuth. “Health Canada is looking at nutritional labelling and the entire food industry is already taking steps toward it. It's a multi-factorial process.” PCH board members suggested one way of enforcing a trans fat ban is by refusing to issue operating licenses to restaurants that use them.
Canola oil in the ivory tower - The United States' largest university has made the switch to canola oil. Ohio State University will spend a little more on canola than on the generic “vegetable oil” it had been using, but the university's campus dining services says it was the healthy decision. There have been no complaints from the school's 51,000 students since the switch.
Canada Food Guide says put a little fat in your diet - Not only does the newly released Canada Food Guide acknowledge the essential role good fats and oils play in the diet, but it also recommends canola oil as one of the best oil choices because of its high percentage of unsaturated fat.
It recommends a daily intake of 30-45 ml (2-3 Tbsp) of unsaturated fat, and to illustrate the guide uses 5 ml (1 tsp) of canola oil as its example for the right kind of fat. To learn more, click here.
Canola in the spotlight at international chef school - Students at the Foodservice Educators Network International (FENI) in Chicago this spring will have the opportunity to learn about incorporating canola oil into Indian-style cooking. Thanks to CanolaInfo, which is sponsoring a master class taught by cookbook author Raghavan Iyer (The Turmeric Trail - Everyday Flavours of India), students will hear about the healthiness and versatility of canola oil.
All 250 participants at FENI's 9th Annual Educators Summit will also have the opportunity to try a canola oil tasting organized by CanolaInfo staff during one of the event's education modules.
Ina's still glad she chose canola oil - If you're wondering how restaurateurs who chose canola oil are faring months or years later, check out this link for a news clip featuring Ina Pinkney, owner of Chicago eatery Ina's: http://fitsugar.com/112836
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