California has become the first US state to ban use of trans fats, long linked to health problems and obesity, in restaurants and bakeries.
Under a new bill signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, the restaurants are required to phase out the use of trans fats and excise them completely by 2010 and in all retail baked goods by 2011. Packaged food will be exempt.
Earlier, New York City had banned their use from July 1 this year. Some other cities, including Philadelphia, have also made similar laws.
But California will be the first to ban their use in more than 80,000 restaurants and bakeries across the State. Those who violate the law would be fined $25 for first violation and it would progressive increase for subsequent violations rising to $1000.
The ban on synthetic fat comes in the wake of intensive movement launched by health professionals and consumer advocates who blame them for heart and other diseases.
"I think the potential here is real for a far greater understanding of the harms of trans fats, and to encourage more states to do the same," Dr Clyde Yancy, incoming president of the American Heart Association was quoted in a media report as saying.
Restaurant and bakery operators prefer trans fats as they are inexpensive. Trans fats are prepared by passing hydrogen into liquid oil at high temperature to produce what is called partially hydrogenated product.
