A bill pending in the Illinois State Senate would ban trans fats in schools if voted into law. Senator Donne Trotter introduced the legislation, citing a school's responsibility for teaching kids the benefits of healthy eating habits.
"Illinois' bill would require the State Board of Education to eliminate cafeteria food cooked with vegetable oils containing trans fats by July 2009. A year later, all foods with added trans fats from cafeterias, vending machines and a la carte items would be outlawed. Food with naturally occurring trans fats - including meat, milk and cheese - would be exempt."
Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. While these fats improve food's flavor and increase shelf life, they have also been linked to high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Source: The Courier News - Chicago
Labels: fats, legislation, schools