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Calgary has officially become the first Canadian city to regulate the use of trans fats in restaurants. As of January 1st all eateries were banned from cooking with fats and oils that contain more than two percent trans fats. Why do restaurants prefer this ingredient? Quite simple – it provides a rich texture to the food as well as has a much longer shelf life. However for the consumer trans fat is a key player linked to increases in coronary heart disease and unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Studies have estimated that Canadians eat out approx 40% of the time and in their home the remaining 60%. So although the restaurants are now being monitored on the amount of trans fat that they are allowed to use inside the home there is no regulation. The next step is education. People need to be educated on what products house this fat (examples being margarine, peanut butter, crackers, cookies) and alternatives they can use in their place (ie. Canola oil and olive oil). For those that do eat out most of the time their heart will be better looked after now than before. Let us see if Vancouver decides to support and follow Calgary’s example.