Why is the Health Department concerned about trans fat?
One way the Health Department protects and promotes the health of New Yorkers is by assuring the safety of food served in restaurants through licensing and inspections. Like lead in paint, trans fat in food is dangerous to health, unnecessary, and won’t be missed. Just as when New York City prohibited lead paint in 1960, the Health Department remains committed to protecting New Yorkers from avoidable health hazards. Eliminating trans fat and replacing it with healthy alternatives would reduce coronary heart disease events such as heart attacks. While many nutrition issues affect health, the Health Department is acting now on trans fat because this significant threat to heart health can be eliminated through simple measures.
