New York trans fat ban expected to pass

New York restaurants are lobbying the city council in hopes of overriding a ban on trans fats that is expected to pass the board of health.

The health board is scheduled to vote on a measure that would ban use of artery-clogging trans fats in the city's restaurants Tuesday, and people familiar with the issue have said it appears that the measure is likely to pass, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

However, representatives from McDonald's Corp. and other restaurants have been lobbying New York City Council member Peter F. Vallone Jr., who has said he plans to propose a similar measure to the city council, in hopes of passing a less onerous version of the measure to override the board of health's decision.

Vallone said in an interview that McDonald's officials told him they would need until July 2008 to comply with a ban on trans fat, about a year longer than would be allowed under the board of health measure.

Operators of local Burger King restaurants told the councilman that it would be difficult for them to switch cooking oils without the compliance of their parent company.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International