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Apr 3, 2009 10:17 pm US/Central
Texas Bill Aimed At Fighting The Fat
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Texans love their food, especially when it's fried. But two lawmakers are trying to take the 'trans' out of trans-fatty acids.
"They've been trying to do that since April of 2003," said Ron Franklin, who loves fried food. "They haven't succeeded yet, but they will probably have to do it eventually. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my food."
State Senator Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Representative Carol Alvarado of Houston have introduced bills that would ban Texas restaurants from using trans-fatty acids.
"I don't think it's going to pass because I do think some people will stand up and fight against it," said Chris McGuinness, owner of Dodie's Seafood Café.
He believes the bill will ultimately fail.
"There are for sure some big chains out there that use lard, and I can't say which ones, but I think they will be affected a lot more than us," he said.
Similar laws have passed in Georgia, California and New York City. Supporters call it a no-brainer because trans fats have direct ties to obesity and heart disease.
"Trans-fatty acids actually increase LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol," said Dr. Deepika Gopal, the Dallas Heart Group. "It can create blockages in the arteries. It also decreases HDL, which is the good cholesterol."
If it passes, the law would cover fast-food restaurants. However, bakeries would be exempt.
The authors of both bills say they have the support of the Texas Restaurant Association. But challenges are likely to come from Dallas and Houston, where dining out is way of life.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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