Bakersfield.com

Artery-clogging fat trans fat, or trans fatty acid, is going to kill us. Eating food with too many trans fats can cause heart attacks and strokes.

Trans fat is used in many restaurants, fried foods and in prepackaged baked goods.

Lawmakers are trying to control obesity and reduce health problems by forcing restaurants to stop using trans fats.

Fried foods, baked goods and other junk foods will never be good for you. But at least lawmakers are taking a step in reducing a type of unnecessary fat that has no nutritional value.

The Assembly Health Committee last week approved a bill that would phase out the use of oils, margarine and shortening containing trans fats to prepare foods in restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens and other California businesses classified as "food facilities" starting in 2009.

Violations could result in fines of $25 to $1,000.

The ban should not be considered an extreme step as some critics contend. It is a reasonable step considering the obesity problems people, including children, have in California .

It's been said that trans fat is the most dangerous ingredient Americans eat and that it has no nutritional value.

With people being so health conscious and trans fat being so bad for you, lawmakers have tried to ban its use in cities and counties. New York City was successful. Los Angeles County tried to do the same, but discovered only a state law can ban restaurants from using trans fat in California . So Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, introduced his bill.

The bill is much needed.

The Food and Drug Administration has shown its concern by requiring all manufacturers to list the amount of trans fat on packaged foods. As of Jan. 1, 2006 , manufacturers must devote a section in the nutritional facts to trans fat even if the product does not contain any.

Trans fat is formed when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. The process is called hydrogenation -- it's what makes our food taste good.

Manufacturers use the process to increase the product's shelf life.

Trans fats are commonly found in fried foods.

Common household items that contain trans fat are partially hydrogenated oils, cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, margarine, shortening, fried foods and milk. Plenty of other foods contain trans fat.

Burger King, McDonald's, Taco Bell and other fast-food chains are testing cooking without trans fat oils. Starbucks is also cutting trans fat from their muffins and pastries.

Doritos and Oreos are just two examples of junk food products that have cut trans fat.

Even though it makes the food last longer, trans fat poses serious health risks by increasing the bad cholesterol and decreasing the good cholesterol.

The risks went unknown for many years, until the National Academy of Sciences found that trans fat was directly related to heart disease and is considered one of the worst ingredient Americans eat. Trans fat contributes significantly to this country's health and obesity problems.

Mendoza 's bill needs to pass for the sake of people's health. But it still has a long way to go.

It must clear the Assembly Appropriations Committee before it can be considered by the entire Assembly. It must then get the state Senate's nod and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature.

The obesity epidemic also has prompted other lawmakers to consider requiring restaurants to post nutritional information on their menus.

Some restaurants already offer nutritional information on their Web sites.

Obesity in children has raised awareness in schools. Some districts have strict menus and soft drink sales have been banned.

Americans will not stop eating out, nor will they give up their junk food. Critics contend the proposed trans fat ban and other regulations are part of a "nanny state" that is out of control.

But it is really just lawmakers giving us a much-needed push to make us aware of the health risks lurking in our food.