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Feb 8, 2007 9:40 pm US/Eastern
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Council Passes City-Wide Trans Fat Ban
by Mary Stoker Smith
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Philadelphia City Council unanimously voted to ban the use of trans-fats in all eateries throughout the city Thursday.
The city of Brotherly Love may be getting a little more conscious about what goes into their cheesesteaks and fries.
The bill was sponsored by Councilman Juan Ramos.
"Philadelphia, a number of years ago, was classified as the fattest city in America," Ramos said.
John Wideman, the deputy director of "The Food Trust" said trans fats pose a danger to eaters.
"Trans fat, as we know, is a real threat to our health," he said. "It was an invention of the 20th Century and it should really stay in the 20th Century."
The artificial additive was created to preserve the shelf life of food, but now it has been linked to serious health issues, like heart disease.
"It raises your bad cholesterol and lowers your good cholesterol," Wideman said.
Joey Vento, owner of Geno's Cheesesteaks in South Philadelphia, said his sandwiches have been trans fat-free for years, but not because of the health benefits.
"I didn't like the smell, I didn't like the heavy flavor," he said. "Without even knowing it, I was ahead of my time."
Recently, Vento said he made the switch to Canola oil to cook his crispy French fries and the response has been positive.
"The fries do taste better, they're not as greasy and my employees love it," he said.
The measure is now on the desk of Mayor John Street. If he signs it into law, restaurants would be prohibited to use trans fats starting September 1, followed by bakeries one year later.
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