New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene received more than 2,200 written and oral comments in favor of the trans fat resolution and 70 comments opposed.
"Since some comments stated that in practice it could take longer to reformulate recipes to accommodate the restriction on artificial trans fat in baked goods and deep fried yeast dough and cake batter, the proposal has been amended," the department said.
The effective date for oils and shortenings used for deep frying yeast dough and cake batter and all other foods containing artificial trans fat was extended to July 1, 2008. The restriction of use of oils, margarines and vegetable shortenings containing artificial trans fats that are used for frying and as spreads remains July 1, 2007.
"By restricting the FSEs (food service establishments) from serving food that contains artificial trans fat, except for food served in the manufacturer’s original sealed package, we can reduce New Yorkers’ exposure to an avoidable hazard in the food environment that is associated with heart disease risk," the department said.
The adopted resolution on calorie listing will help New York City address obesity and diabetes, the board said.
Food service establishments that make calorie information for standardized menu items publicly available will need to post the information on menu boards and menus, next to menu items, on or after March 1, 2007.
"Of course, in order for the calorie information to be accurate, such a requirement can only be implemented for food items that are standardized with regard to portion size, formulation and ingredients," the board said. "Therefore, it is expected that the proposal would apply only to approximately 10% of New York City food service establishments that serve food menu items in portions that are standardized for size and content and currently post calorie information on these items."