NYC is banning trans-fats from all of their restaurants. They'll be the first city in the states to pass such legislation. Though the changeover will be tough for the city's legion of eateries, they've got until July to clean up their frying oils and another year to wipe out all trans fats from NYC menus.
Seems to me that this is a pretty big deal. People are becoming increasingly aware of the detriments of this harmful byproduct of the food industry and props to the big apple for taking the lead on this---others are sure to follow. Although the short-term benefits (longer shelf life = greater profits) are tepmting, evidence of the long-term effects is piling up.
It's important to notice one distinction here: this is NOT about eating fatty foods or losing weight or any of that. It's about eliminating an unnatural poison from our diets. And that process begins with a public recognition that it is in fact a poison. We unknowingly consume so much that is damaging to our health and this is a great step in raising our awareness and cutting out some of the junk.
I don't believe in legislating people's diets, I see this as a public health issue akin to water pollution or buildings with asbestos. As NYC Mayor Bloomberg put it: "Nobody wants to take away your french fries and hamburgers---I love those things, too. But if you can make them with something that is less damaging to your health, we should do that."
In other semi-related news, my own fair city has just passed a new Green Building Bill. Starting in 2012---because we have to start somewhere---all commercial development over 50,000 square feet in Washington, DC will need to meet the standards of The Green Building Council. This has been referred to as "the most comprehensive green building legislation in the U.S." (washington post express 12.6.06 p. 11).
"East Coast Leads Green Revolution" . . . who would have thought?
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