California Set to Ban Trans Fat

The California legislature yesterday passed a bill banning all trans fats in restaurants and bakeries by 2011. It's now awaiting the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who hasn't indicated whether he supports such an action. If passed, the new law would make California the first state to enact such a ban. A similar measure was implemented earlier this month in New York City.

The California Restaurant Association has called the ban a "narrow and misleading approach to a much larger" health issue. "Only by reducing all fats through diet and exercise can we effectively reduce heart disease," the group said. The lawmaker who initiated the legislation said the measure will help save lives. "Using trans fats in fast-food and other restaurants is not helping at all," he said. (More trans fat stories.)