Just three years ago, New York banned smoking in restaurants. Now New York has become the first city in the United States to ban trans fats in restaurants. Health officials voted to outlaw something they believe is almost as harmful as smoking. Trans fats are not good for people's health because they may help cause heart disease by increasing bad cholesterol and decreasing good cholesterol. The average American eats about 4.7 pounds of trans fats each year. The law was passed unanimously by the Board of Health. By July 2007, restaurants will be restricted from using almost all types of frying oils that has artificial trans fats. A year from then, in July 2008, restaurants will not be allowed to have any artificial trans fat in all their foods. One example of a trans fat is hydrogenated vegetable oil, that is often used in frying and baking. Many restaurants, especially fast food restaurants are concerned that the tastes will be altered by using substitutes in their recipes and that they may have trouble convincing customers that the products are just as tasty. Also, consumer taste tests and extensive research takes time. New York's change to ban trans fats has been applauded by health and medical groups. However, the American Heart association fears that "if restaurants are not given ample time to make the switch, they could end up reverting to ingredients high in saturated fat, like palm oil.
I chose this article because I have considered maybe opening a restaurant in the future. This article interests me by bringing up the debate on whether it is your choice to decide to eat food that clogs your arteries at restaurants, or if its the government's choice to enforce this as a law to attempt to better your health. Imagine if this was a law for restaurants in South Pasadena. I understand that the law is trying to help people by causing the restaurants to use substitutes that aren't as dangerous to one's health. However, restaurants want to make profit and I honestly don't think they are very concerned with their consumers health. They may find substitutes, but these substitutes may be even worse that the trans fats.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16051436/
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4 comments:
I really don't like this bill if it alters tastes. I think the public/customers should be more aware of the dangers of transfats and the owners should put up signs and warnings. But by banning transfat, it changes so many restaurants, especially fast foods.
Additionally, if oils that contains transfat are banned, food taste is different and usually worsens. It could also force restaurants to use other fatty products to replace transfat. When this happens, probably someone will try to ban it.
I do not support this bill. Yes, it is awesome that this is a positive change to our health. But this law will affect the food business. They will lose profit if their food does not taste the same and have the taste be horrible. Food businesses would not know what to do, and it will turn chaotic. I believe that it is a person's responsibility to watch out what he or she eats instead of having a law forcing one to do so. It is a person's choice on what he or she wants to eat, so the law should not take this freedom away.
I believe that transfat should be banned and this bill is extremly beneficial toward the nation's health. Espcially since in todays world, obesity is so common it is crippling the nation's health. This advancement toward a healthier life is a crucial move to improving the lifestyle in society.
As repeatedly stated all around the world, United States is the leading country of obesity. In order to stop this problem, the transfat ban should be put into action to not only benefit ourselves, but others as well. A person's life is cut down dramatically when overweight and cannot enjoy the activities in life. Must we continue to destroy our health through these transfat products?
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