I suggest that an apology is due!
And you were casitgating a member of the board to develop a coherent policy before complaining about a law!
(Section 81.08 of the New York City Health Code)
New York City’s Health Code amendment phases out the
use of artificial trans fat in all food service establishments
required to hold a New York City Health Department
permit, including restaurants, caterers, mobile food-vending
units, and mobile food commissaries:
• Beginning July 1, 2007:
You may not use partially hydrogenated vegetable
oils, shortenings, or margarines for frying, pan-frying
(sautéing), grilling, or as a spread unless you have
product labels or other documents from the
manufacturer showing that these ingredients
contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.
You may continue to use trans fat-containing oils
and shortenings for deep frying cake batter and
yeast dough until the regulation takes full effect
on July 1, 2008.
• Beginning July 1, 2008:
No food containing partially hydrogenated vegetable
oils, shortenings, or margarines with 0.5 grams or more
trans fat per serving may be stored, used, or served
by food service establishments.
• The regulation does not apply to food served in the
manufacturer’s original, sealed packaging, such as a
package of crackers or a bag of potato chips.
How can I tell if a particular product is allowed under the regulation?
Step 1. Look at the package label or ingredients
list to see if “partially hydrogenated,” “shortening,”
or “margarine” are listed. If none of these terms
appear, you may use the product.
If any of these terms are listed, go to Step 2 to
see if the product contains too much trans fat.
Step 2. Check the Nutrition Facts panel for
trans fat content. If the panel says the product has
0 grams of trans fat, or less than 0.5 grams of trans
fat per serving, you may use the product.
If the Nutrition Facts panel says the product
has 0.5 grams or more trans fat, you may not
use the product.
If there is no Nutrition Facts panel on the product,
go to Step 3.
Step 3. If there is no Nutrition Facts panel,
ask your supplier to provide a letter from the
manufacturer listing the product’s ingredients.
If the ingredients list contains the words “partially
hydrogenated,”“shortening,” or “margarine,“ the
letter must also include information on the
amount of trans fat in each serving.
As in Step 2, if the product has 0 grams of trans fat,
or less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving, you
may use it.
The letter should be on the manufacturer’s
letterhead and show the manufacturer’s name
and address. Keep the letter at your food service
establishment, available for review by a Health
Department inspector.
Beginning July 1, 2007, you will need to save the label for any oils, shortenings, or margarines used for
frying, pan-frying (sautéing), or grilling, or as a spread, until the product is completely used. Labels may
be kept on the product container, photocopied, or kept separately.
Beginning July 1, 2008, when the regulation takes full effect, you will need to save the label for any
food containing oils, shortenings, or margarines, regardless of how you use the product. For instance, if you
are frying frozen French fries, you should save the label for both the frying oil and the French fries until
both have been completely used.
What should I do with products that contain artificial trans fat if they are still
in my pantry on July 1, 2008?
If a product containing partially hydrogenated oil has 0.5 grams or more trans fat per serving, you will
not be able to store, use, or serve it after July 1, 2008. The regulation gives food service establishments
time to use their remaining supplies and restock.
It does not matter where you buy the products.
Beginning July 1, 2008, all foods and ingredients stored, used, or served in New York City food service
establishments that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, shortenings, or margarines must have
less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.