Vallone's Trans Fat Ban Signed By Mayor
BY JOHN TOSCANO

Vallone, with colleague, points to trans fat ban being signed by Mayor Bloomberg.

In an action that has national and even global implications, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has signed a bill introduced by City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. which bans harmful trans fats from food served in New York City restaurants.

Following the mayor's action, Vallone declared: "We are a global culinary capital, and when New York issues this ban, much like the controversial smoking ban, the rest of the country and world will take notice. Our schools are already the safest of any big city in the country; now we can say the same for our restaurant tables."

"This is a very simple public safety issue," Vallone added. "Trans fats are endangering the lives of New Yorkers and we have a responsibility to protect our citizens."

In signing the far-reaching bill into law, the mayor commented: "If the food will taste exactly the same and it will be healthier, then why not do it?"

The bill reinforces the Department of Health decision, made last December, which set a timetable to remove heartclogging oils from all New York City restaurants and fast food places.

But the council legislation will put the trans fat ban on stronger legal footing, should it ever face a challenge from the restaurant industry, Vallone (D- Astoria) stated. He said it also codifies the Bloomberg administration's rule into law, making it more difficult for a future mayor or health commissioner to rescind the ban.

Vallone explained that he had pushed for a local law covering the issue, believing that Washington lawmakers have a notorious history of delaying necessary measures to protect the public.

The lawmaker noted, "It took over a decade for them to force food manufacturers to simply list trans fats contents on their products." He also pointed out that New York City banned the use of lead paint 18 years before the federal government got around to it, and said he supports a similarly proactive stance on the trans fat issue.

Vallone had introduced a resolution last May calling on the federal government to act on the issue, and proposed legislation for a local ban last August, several months before the Health Department presented its plan.

Vallone praised the mayor for his foresight on health issues, such as trans fats and indoor smoking. The councilmember suggested that these steps would be a large part of the mayor's "exceptional legacy".

The lawmaker said he was pleased to work with the administration to strengthen their trans fat ban through an act of legislation, sending a message from the citizens' representatives.

Under the proposed ban, Vallone explained, restaurants have had six months to stop using oils, margarines and shortening that contain more than 0.5 grams of trans fat in meat dishes and other main courses.

Restaurants and bakeries were given an additional year, for a total of 18 months, to adjust their recipes for pastries and fried dough to be prepared without trans fatladen oil, he added.

Vallone also pointed out that the ban will affect only prepared food dishes, while items served in their original packaging from the manufacturer are exempt. Health inspectors will enforce the policy during their routine inspections, he said, and violators will be fined $1,000.