Chewing the trans fat: a look at the proposed ban

By Jon Juliano
Collegian Staff
October 11, 2006

When I was a young tyke sitting in my mandatory health class, there were only a few things that stuck with me. One was laughing at dirty words cleaned up and used by my teacher in front of the class. The other was reading food labels.

The main ingredient I look for on food labels is a three-word phrase: partially-hydrogenated oils. I learned this stuff is horrible for you and a punk rock, anarchist kid I knew would always preach about how bad the oils were (naturally, he was a hardcore vegan). I cut back on eating it and became more aware of it when I saw how much partially hydrogenated oil is in food.

The city of New York, which is well known for its cuisine, is trying to ban trans fat from restaurants. This means no more partially hydrogenated oils.

According to Reuters, trans fats are formed when manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats. Companies create the trans fats by hydrogenation.

The food industry likes to hydrogenate because it increases the shelf life and the flavor stability of food.

If trans fat is banned, this means that the city of New York could potentially be facing a lawsuit from McDonald’s, Burger King and any other chain restaurant that cooks french fries in swimming pools of trans fat oils housed in the walls of the deep fryers.

I don’t think the Big Apple should worry about trans fat in restaurants, whether chain or not. Instead, I feel the real concern is from ordinary groceries. This is where people get most of their trans fats, and people are simply neglecting to check the labels. I think if the city attacks those companies, especially the makers of junk food (a big source of trans fat), then most of the problem will be taken care of.

There have been so many fiascos with McDonald’s and other fast food places over the past few years. I think people know those restaurants are unhealthy – look at the movie Super Size Me. Trying to take on these big restaurants and the corporations behind them is like taking on a gang in business suits. McDonald’s has over a billion burgers sold. They have the money to get their way.

Additionally, increased education on trans fat in school health classes seems simple enough. Either that or have an older, cooler kid for every one impressionable kid and make them follow around the youngsters waxing poetically about how trans fats are lame and not uber excellent.

If what happens in New York spreads across the country and cities start banning trans fat in restaurants, many people on all levels will be out of jobs.

There is nothing better to end a good Friday or Saturday night out with a trip to Wendy’s, Checkers or WaWa at 2 a.m., but I think a little bit of knowledge and a common sense will do the job, instead of banning trans fat in restaurants.

julianoj3@lasalle.edu