NEW YORK The Board of Health of Nassau County, a suburb of New York City, yesterday prohibited the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants as of April 1, 2008.
The ban, which was unanimously approved by the five-person board, would go into effect in bakeries a year later. The measure mirrors the one already in place in New York, which took effect July 1 and will be enforced with $200 fines starting Oct. 1.
The Nassau County ordinance defined items containing trans fat as “food labeled as or containing vegetable shortening, margarine or any partially hydrogenated vegetable oil of 0.5 grams or more per serving.”
It further states that no trans fat may be used in the preparation of any menu item in restaurants, mobile food units or commissaries, except for products served in the manufacturer’s original sealed packages.
It also specifies that a “foodservice business must keep on site all original labels or acceptable manufacturers’ documentation of all products used in the preparation of menu items or any food served to patrons.” That provision, which would help health inspectors verify that no trans fat is used by an establishment, is similar to one that was incorporated in Philadelphia’s trans fat restriction.
Nassau County, N.Y., is a wealthy bedroom community located just east of New York City, on Long Island.