Food Police Extend Reach to Canada

Calgary becomes nation's first city to regulate trans fats
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 31, 2007 12:33 PM CST
Food Police Extend Reach to Canada
On New Year's Day, Calgary will become the first city in Canada to regulate use of artery-clogging trans fats served in restaurants. Eateries will not be allowed to cook with fats and oils that have more than 2 percent trans fats in total fat content, the Globe and Mail reports. (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)   (Associated Press)

America’s war on trans fats has spread to Canada, where tomorrow Calgary will become the first city to regulate their use. Restaurants will be banned from cooking with ingredients or serving foods containing more than 2% trans fat in total fat content. Some restaurants currently offer food with trans fat levels as high as 42%, the Globe and Mail reports.

That’s “an unacceptable health risk,” said one official, adding that reduction of the artery-clogging fat can cut the incidence of heart disease by as much as 22%. Eateries will have a grace period, after which failure to comply could result in the loss of their food permits. New York City, which banned trans fat last year, reports 94% compliance. (More trans fat stories.)

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