Gov. Schwarzenegger signs law banning trans fats in restaurants
SACRAMENTO -- California restaurants will have to cook virtually without trans fats, such as those contained in margarine and many oils, under restrictions signed into law Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger sided with legislators who said the measure would help get the fat out of Californians who are too dependent on fast food.
"California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans fats," Schwarzenegger said. "Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California."
The law, AB 97 by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), will ban cooking with artificial trans fats in restaurants by Jan. 1, 2010, and bar their presence in baked goods by Jan. 1, 2011.
Trans fat has a long shelf life but has been linked to heart disease.
"Everybody agrees there are health benefits in getting rid of trans fat," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. "It causes heart disease and it is causing several thousand deaths each year."
But the legislation was vigorously opposed by the California Restaurant Assn., which argued that it would not substantially affect public health because people eat most of their meals at home.
Even so, association spokesman Daniel Conway said: "Given he fact that our industry is already phasing out trans fat in response to customers and that there is a delayed timeline for compliance, we are confident we will be able to meet the mandate of the law."
patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com
