Restaurants Banned from using Trans-fats in Food

The State of California, yesterday, banned the use of Trans-fats in food at ALL restaurants by 2010. Trans fats are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils that increase the shelf life of food. They are also said to enhance flavor. The are used because they are cheap(er) and also add bulk to foods.

Trans fats are also said to significantly increase the risk of Coronary Heart Disease by boosting "bad" cholesterol (2006, New England Journal of Medicine).

New York, Philadelphia and Seattle already have such bans in place.

My only comment as an Indian is whether the Food & Drug Administration or the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare consider such ideas when regulating food that is being sold on our shelves or in restaurants and kitchens across our vast country? Do they even care that the long term health impact of the consumption of foods laden with fat and cholesterol are only going to create bigger problems for a nation that has a national health policy that only covers communicable disease?

If anyone thinks that floods, famines, natural disasters and terrorists are the only cause of death in our country, they are sorely mistaken. The people responsible for regulations around the every day health of Indian people will take care of that far more effectively!