ANNAPOLIS, Md. Maryland and Philadelphia have joined the list of areas that are considering a trans-fat restriction like the one New York City will adopt beginning July 1.
Abill limiting the trans-fat content of restaurant fare has been introduced in the Maryland legislature here by Democrat James Hubbard, a delegate from Prince George’s County, according to local media reports. It is apparently patterned after the New York measure, which would require restaurants to limit the trans fat in their oils, fats and shortenings to .5 gram per serving. By July 2008, all foods prepared in New York restaurants must meet that standard.
The date that Maryland’s law would take effect was not disclosed.
Philadelphia is eying a measure that would require restaurants to meet New York’s standard of .5-gram or less of trans fat per serving by September. But unlike New York, which also mandated that certain restaurants post nutritional information on their menus, Philadelphia is requiring ingredient disclosure on the boxes, cans and other containers that are delivered to restaurant kitchens, according to stories carried by the city’s media. Proponents say that back-room labeling provision will allow city inspectors to verify compliance with the trans-fat limitation.
According to local reports, violators of the Philadelphia regulations would not be fined, but could be required to take an educational course. The focus of the course was not disclosed.