SACRAMENTO, California –It’s official, California is the first state in the nation to   
  place a ban on trans fats served in all of its restaurants and cafeterias.  Governor  
  Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 97, authored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza
  (D-Norwalk), into law today that will eliminate trans fats from food preparation by
  January 1, 2010 and from baked goods by January 1, 2011.

  Trans fat is a known ingredient that lowers good cholesterol and raises bad  
  cholesterol while contributing to diabetes and heart disease.  Trans fats are created
  during the cooking process with oils, margarines and shortenings that are  
  hydrogenated.

  “This has always been about the health of our citizens and the simple fact that this     
  ingredient places them at risk,” said Assemblyman Mendoza. “AB 97 is a call to   
  action that takes into consideration the health of our families by having restaurants
  replace unhealthy cooking methods with healthier alternatives.  I hope that others 
  will take note of what we have done here in California and use it as catalyst to take
  action in their state ensuring and protecting the health of their citizens.”
 
  Governor Schwarzenegger agrees, “California is a leader in promoting health and
  nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the  
  nation to phase out trans fats,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Consuming trans
  fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step
  toward creating a healthier future for California.”

  With the support of groups such as the California Academy of Family Physicians,
  American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, Assemblyman
  Mendoza has successfully navigated his health awareness bill, AB 97,
  through the state legislature bringing about awareness on how certain ingredients
  affect a consumer’s quality of life.

  Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is a former teacher that proudly serves the
  communities of   Norwalk, Buena Park, Cerritos, Santa Fe Springs, Artesia,
  Hawaiian Gardens and portions of Whittier and Lakewood. 

 Trans fat is linked to the following health issues:

• Trans fat increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease – the leading cause of death in the U.S. “Like saturated fat, trans fat also raises the low density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol in the blood. But, unlike saturated fat, trans fat lowers high density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol in the blood. An elevated LDL cholesterol increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.” ( U.S. FDA: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, “Questions and Answers about Trans Fat Nutrition Labeling,” Press Release, 1/1/06)

• University of Maryland research suggests that kids who consume trans fats early on will develop heart disease sooner. “Children who start at age three or four eating a steady diet of fast food, pop tarts, commercially prepared fish sticks, stick margarine, cake, candy, cookies and microwave popcorn can be expected to get heart disease earlier than kids who are eating foods without trans fats… Some of our research here at the University of Maryland has shown that kids as young as eight, nine and 10 already have the high cholesterol and blood fats that clog arteries. By starting healthy eating habits early, parents can help their children avoid heart attacks and stroke.” (Mary Beth Sodus, “Trans Fats 101,” University of Maryland Medical Center)

• According to the American Heart Association, trans fat should make up less than one percent of calories for Americans over two. “Another major change in the dietary recommendations is a lower goal for saturated fat — from less than 10 percent to less than seven percent — and establishing a goal for trans fatty acids of less than one percent of total calories.” (American Heart Association, “Association releases new diet and lifestyle recommendations,” Press Release, 6/19/06)