The Silver Spring Penguin

It’s a done deal: Trans fats are outta here!

On Tuesday, Montgomery County’s council voted unanimously to ban trans fats from most restaurants and prepared-food sections at supermarkets.

The resolution nixes trans fats in oils, shortenings and margarines used in restaurants beginning January 2008. A year later, trans fats in oils and shortenings used for frying yeast dough or cake batter get the ax.

“Giving the public all the information they need to choose healthy eating alternatives is good stewardship of the public trust we hold as elected officials,” said councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At large), who proposed the ban in March.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, trans fat increases the shelf life of vegetable oil, some margarines and other foods prepared with partially saturated fat. A small amount of trans fat is found naturally in some animal-based foods.

However, trans fat has been found to raise levels of LDL (”bad”) cholesterol while lowering HDL (”good”) cholesterol, the Mayo Clinic reports. This effect, the clinic writes, can contribute to heart disease and stroke.

According to a council press statement, restaurants like Panera Bread, Ruby Tuesday, Taco Bell and KFC have already cleaned up their kitchens. McDonald’s gets in on the game in early 2008.