NEW YORK The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said 94 percent of local restaurateurs are complying with the first phase of the city’s new trans fat regulation, and noted that nearly every citation given out so far has been related to margarine use.
“Despite claims to the contrary, restaurateurs have shown that it’s easy to get artificial trans fats out of spreads and fry oils,” said health commissioner Thomas R. Frieden. “New Yorkers are now enjoying more healthful foods without any change in taste or price.”
The department asserted that places using margarine with more than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, a violation of the new regulation, could readily replace the frying medium “with more healthful alternatives.”
New York restaurants were required as of July 1 to use frying oils and fats that fall below the 0.5-gram threshold, or what the government equates to having zero trans fat. After a three-month grace period ends on Oct. 1, places that fail to comply with the department-issued law would be subject to fines that start at $200, the health agency said.
The second phase of the initiative, which applies the trans fat limit to baked goods, prepared foods and the oils used to deep-fry dough or cake batter, takes effect July 1, 2008.
Asecond component of the law, which was issued by the health department in December, required some restaurants to post calorie information on their menus and menu boards. The provision, which was intended for chain outlets, was struck down by a federal judge last week. The health department has indicated that it plans to alter the rule to address the reasons for the regulation’s dismissal.