California is Nation-Leading

Promoting Health and Nutrition

.......Schwarzenegger Signs Trans Fat Bill. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger takes big step toward creating a healthier future for California signed a legislation to prohibit restaurants from preparing food with trans fats, which clog arteries and raise the risk of heart disease.

....."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 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," he added.

.....The American Heart Association applauds Gov. Schwarzenegger’s signing of AB 97 into law and the Assemblyman Tony Mendoza’s who bold action in authoring a bill that makes California the first state in the nation to ban trans fats in restaurants and who refered the bill's signing "A call to action". This trans-free law, will impact the health of all Californians, reducing healthcare costs and saving lives.

......Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are our nation’s leading killer, and have been linked to the consumption of trans fats. This is therefore an issue the American Heart Association has been concerned about, and has been addressing, for years.

......While trans-fat-free does not necessarily mean food is “healthy,” and while there are many factors that go into making healthy dietary choices, that include overall calories, saturated fat content, cholesterol, and sodium to name a few, this legislation is a strong step in the right direction for the health of all Californians.

......About Trans Fats

.....Trans fat is a specific type of fat formed when liquid oils are chemically processed into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. It is typically found in products that contain “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils,” such as some salty snacks and commercially baked and deep-fried foods, although some also occurs naturally in products such as meat and dairy products that contain fat.

....Trans fats are used in the restaurant industry primarily because they add desirable taste and texture, have a long shelf life, and can be used many times reducing cost, the fats are nonetheless detrimental to health.

.....Trans fats are unhealthy because, like saturated fats, trans fats raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels in your blood, which increases fatty buildups in arteries and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. They are also associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

.....The American Heart Association Recommends that you limit the amount of saturated fats to less than 7 percent of your total daily calories, and trans fats to less than 1 percent of total daily calories.

.....Any food made with partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fat. The only way to know for sure if the oil you use contains trans fat is to read the food labels and choose products that are free of partially hydrogenated oils.

.....The American Heart Association has a Web site dedicated specifically to educating the public, especially children, on the issue of trans fats at www.americanheart.org

......The legislation will take effect on Jan, 1, 2010, for oil, shortening and margarine used in spreads or for frying. Restaurants could continue using trans fats to deep fry yeast dough and in cake batter until Jan. 1, 2011. This timeframe will give restaurants ample time to comply with the trans-fat ban and formulate healthier alternatives. Fines for non-compliance will range from $25 to $1,000. Food items sold in their manufacturers' sealed packaging would be exempt.

.....The Governor's leadership has also banned trans fat and food fried in school meals, banned junk food and sugary sodas off school campuses and have put in place some of the nation's most innovative and successful strategies such as Convened a Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity where leaders of public and private organizations who made significant commitments to change core business practices to help achieve a healthier California, Have invested millions of dollars in fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, Adopted the first-ever physical education standards, Proposed a comprehensive health care reform plan that emphasizes prevention and wellness.

....For more information on Governor Schwarzenegger Health Issues and Statements please visit http://gov.ca.gov

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