SACRAMENTO –  The message to restaurant owners was clear, “trans fats kill.  But you can help lower the incidence of heart disease in our community inexpensively and easily.”   Assemblymember Tony Mendoza met with restaurant owners and community leaders at a forum on June 22, 2007 to respond to critics of his trans fat phase out, AB 97.    Some opponents of Mendoza’s trans fat phase-out argue that small minority-owned restaurants may have difficulty adhering to the phase out.  But at his event, Mendoza showcased Norma Chavez the owner of “Churrolandia” which manufactures churros and other Mexican pastries and Vicente Ortiz who has eight Mexican food franchises.  Both of the restaurateurs have gone trans fat free with ease.  

They were joined by Stephen Joseph, the architect of the New York City ban on trans fats who gave the restaurant owners tips on how to make the transition and where to find the easily accessible trans-fat free oils and Dr. Terry Nielsen, who spoke of the dangerous of eating trans fat laden foods.

The California State Assembly passed a bill to phase out trans fat in the preparation of food in food facilities throughout California on Thurs June 7th.   The bill, AB 97 by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, D- Artesia, was approved on a 42-31 vote and now goes on to the state Senate for further action.  In urging passage of AB 97, Assemblymember Mendoza told his colleagues that his bill, “will make the food you eat at restaurants safer and better for you by eliminating trans fats.” 

“We have a responsibility to protect the public from harmful products,” Mendoza stated. Trans fats are artificial fats found in food products made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oil.  Trans fats are used in foods to make them coagulate but the problem is that trans fats also solidify in arteries and lead to heart disease and heart attacks.

Companies such as KFC, Wendy’s, Disneyland and Universal Studios are among firms that are in the process of voluntarily going trans fat free in food products they serve to the public.