LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Los Angeles city and county officials are weighing restrictions on trans fats, taking a page from New York, which banned the substance in restaurants.
The Los Angeles City Council is expected to debate the issue in the coming weeks and Los Angeles County supervisors have ordered a feasibility study on the prospect of banning trans fat in restaurants, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke said the board could choose to institute a disclosure law or menu labeling, but "the best of all possible worlds would be a ban." Burke recommended the board order the study, which is due before the end of the month.
Trans fat, which is created by chemically adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils, is used by food manufacturers to give texture to baked and fried foods and increase their shelf life. However, studies performed on the substance have concluded it raises "bad" cholesterol, lowers "good" cholesterol and puts consumers at a greater risk of heart diseases.
