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Dec 5, 2006 7:04 pm US/Central
Could Trans-Fat Ban Happen In Chicago?
CBS 2's Rafael Romo and Rob Johnson contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Several fast food chains recently dumped trans fat from their menus, and now New York City is banning it from all restaurants.
There are chances that a similar ban could pass in Chicago's City Council.
"There's no reason why every restaurant can't switch over in 10 minutes," said Ina Pinkney of Ina's Restaurant.
This restaurant owner says it's not only a health-conscious mind that made her switch to trans-fats-free oil. She also says it makes good business sense.
"If you buy the deadly oil, it costs 'x,' the good oil costs just a tiny bit more, but it lasts 75 percent longer, so you do the math on that," Pinkney said.
That's why she's applauding New York's decision to approve a ban on artificial trans-fats. The ban will affect both restaurants and bakeries and its first phase goes into effect in July of next year.
"We know the trans fats cause heart attack, stroke and death, and they don't have to be there," said New York Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden.
"It's been said, has it not, that imitation is the highest form of flattery?" said Chicago Ald. Ed Burke.
The 14th ward alderman proposed a similar ordinance here long before New York. But there are differences between the two.
"New York is much, much more comprehensive. It applies to all restaurants in New York City, whereas the proposal in Chicago would only affect the big chains," Burke said.
Burke was speaking of chains like Oak Brook-based McDonald's, which, unlike some of its competitors, has not yet switched to the healthier cooking oil.
In a statement Tuesday McDonald's said "We will comply" with the New York proposal but "are not yet prepared to announce a rollout for an alternative oil blend."
Crain's Chicago Business reporter Julie Jargon believes the fast food giant will now be under greater pressure to change its oil.
"I think they're going to come under more pressure from consumer advocate groups and dieticians wondering if KCF and Wendy's can do this, why can't McDonald's," Jargon said.
The president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, Colleen McShane, says Chicago doesn't need tougher laws because many restaurants are already complying.
"I just think that this heavy-handed government doesn't always work, especially when you have a community that regulates themselves," she said.
Chicago's ordinance is currently being reviewed by the City Council's license committee. Burke says he hopes to take it for a full City Council vote early next year so that it can go into effect before New York's.
The New York proposal will prohibit restaurants from using most trans-fat-laden frying oils by July. Those oils will be banned altogether a year after that.
But the National Restaurant Association may be bracing for a fight saying in a statement Tuesday night "there are serious legal concerns about banning a product already approved by the Food and Drug Administration."
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
