Trans Fat forums Tue & Thu at Metro Health

What a complete waste of taxpayer's money, because you know we'll all be paying for this somehow. How about putting the money towards something that NEEDS fixing? I'm a adult. I should be able to make decisions like one. I don't need/want the govt. telling me what I can or can't eat. Sugar is bad for you. So is saturated fat. Are they next? Where does it end? That's my concern.

I can see a labeling program working but a total ban? How could cigarettes remain legal but transfats not?
I want to be in formed as to what I'm eating but I still want to make up my own mind. The "thank you from saving us from ourselves" heard at the meeting, in my mind, translates into "I'm too lazy to read, reserch and inform myself so you just take care of everything for me. OK? Mom? Oh yeah, and go ahead and make it totally illeagal so I can't pick up a clearly labeled package by mistake because I'm too lazy to read and be responsible for myself."
Jeez.
Let the heard thinning begin.

GO to the public forum tonight, Health Department on Gray Street. Starts at 6 pm.

Interestingly the Wave 3 viewer poll (which I could not find on their website) reported (on the News program) that 55% of Louisville adults believe that they are perfectly capably of choosing what foods they eat with government interference.

I would totally support a labeling program, but an outright ban just seems excessive. Also, like several other people have asked, how would it be enforced? It would be very difficult to do. So, again, why waste our money on something so completely ridiculous?

Hello foodies,
I wanted to share my thoughts on this topic. First, I was asked to be part of this initiative to help begin a dialogue about transfats. I, like some others on the “committee” have attended meetings, shared our thoughts, concerns, and opinions regarding the use and possible ban of transfats. I have been struggling with the idea of a ban and am not sure where I stand at this point. It seems that right now, the critical part of this whole thing is to gather information, look at the data, and have an open and honest debate about the issue. I have always believed in eating right, natural, and as healthy as possible. But this is my choice. At Cake Flour, our methods and philosophy are not being challenged from this issue however; we understand what this will do for others. Again, this is our choice and although this is a concern, it does not impact us in the same manner as it may other establishments and clearly we are all trying to provide a great food experience while earning a living.
In reference to a ban, this may benefit from being looked at by the FDA due to the mounting body of evidence regarding the impact of transfats on health. Transfats, like other food products need to be regulated to ensure our health and safety. If local gov't would like to support this effort then may be an incentive could be created for local business that choose not to use transfats. At this point, I support the city’s efforts to bring this issue out in the open and it’s commitment to improving the health of the community.

Be sure to take the survey and share your thoughts! http://transfatfreelouisville.com/surveys.html
]

In reference to a ban, this may benefit from being looked at by the FDA due to the mounting body of evidence regarding the impact of transfats on health. Transfats, like other food products need to be regulated to ensure our health and safety.

Be sure to take the survey and share your thoughts! http://transfatfreelouisville.com/surveys.html
]

Why do transfats NEED to be regulated, again? Because they're bad for us? We all know this. Because we're too stupid to make up our own minds? I'm sorry, but I won't support ANY ban. It is MY body, and if I feel like eating something full of transfats, you know whose business that is? Mine. I am an adult, and I don't need the government deciding what I can eat. I go to the gym 5 days a week. My blood pressure is perfect, my blood sugar is perfect. My cholesterol is perfect. Why should I, and others like me suffer, because others choose not to take care of themselves? Why punish the responsible people? Why punish anyone, actually.

I checked out the consumer survey, btw. Not trying to be disrespectful, but it was totally slanted!

Like I mentioned previously, simple carbs like flour sugar and potatoes have worse long term health consequences than transfats. Why are we picking on only this one "bad" food?

I respect your position Claudia. But, I simply can't support banning something people already are aware will harm them if they continue to consume it.

For anyone familiar with Dennis Leary's stand "No Cure for Cancer" and his shtick about warnings on cigarette packs. He rails against the populace because they want (probably did) make warning signs larger on packs on cigarettes. Hillarious - ( possibly offensive to some )

He wants to make the warnings on the packs bigger. Yeah! He wants the whole front of the pack to be the warning. Like the problem is we just haven't noticed yet. Right? Like he's going to get his way and all of the sudden smokers around the world are going to be going, "Yeah, Bill, I've got some cigarettes.. HOLY SHIT! These things are bad for you! Shit, I thought they were good for you! I thought they had Vitamin C in them and stuff!" You fucking dolt! Doesn't matter how big the warnings are. You could have cigarettes that were called the warnings. You could have cigarrets that come in a black pack, with a skull and a cross bone on the front, called tumors and smokers would be lined up around the block going, "I can't wait to get my hands on these fucking things!

Look what happened with the smoking ban...even if they ban it, there will still be people who use it, anyway. There's no way to enforce a ban, so why waste the time, energy, or money? I'd be all for a notation on a menu, or a little icon on a label, just so I can make an informed CHOICE, but an outright ban seems over the line. That's what this all boils down to, after all, choice. I should be able to choose whether or not to put something into my body. I shouldn't have someone else choosing for me.

Oh, and shhhh, Steve H., don't give them any ideas.

Well, NY City banned trans fats years ago. It became mandatory last year. They're down from 50% to 2% in trans fat usage in restaurants. So much for the " no way to enforce" arguments. Of course you can enforce. It is called inspections, which we all get already.

And guess what, no big deal! Restaurants didn't suddenly go out of business. People still eat out. The food is just as good. Just healthier.

Lets move into the new century and be a progressive city. A role model for others. A healthier population benefits us all.....

Well, NY City banned trans fats years ago. It became mandatory last year. They're down from 50% to 2% in trans fat usage in restaurants. So much for the " no way to enforce" arguments. Of course you can enforce. It is called inspections, which we all get already.

And guess what, no big deal! Restaurants didn't suddenly go out of business. People still eat out. The food is just as good. Just healthier.

Lets move into the new century and be a progressive city. A role model for others. A healthier population benefits us all.....

As a candidate for Mayor, I'd like to know your position on banning refined flour, sugar, and potatoes for their contributions to the diabetes epidemic. The prevalence of diabetes has a much larger impact on public health than any other disease or health issues and it's growing rapidly. Why advocate banning transfats and not simple carbohydrates?

Well, NY City banned trans fats years ago. It became mandatory last year. They're down from 50% to 2% in trans fat usage in restaurants. So much for the " no way to enforce" arguments. Of course you can enforce. It is called inspections, which we all get already.

And guess what, no big deal! Restaurants didn't suddenly go out of business. People still eat out. The food is just as good. Just healthier.

Lets move into the new century and be a progressive city. A role model for others. A healthier population benefits us all.....

What happens when it's decided that caffeine is bad? As Mayor, would you be for a ban on that, as well, since it would be for a healthier population?

Aside from the "personal choice" and "harmful health consequences" of TF, both of which have been beaten to death here, I'd be interested in any positive aspects of Trans Fat that deserve discussion. Are there any?
Bill

Here's some pretty interesting reads...

http://baking-management.com/ingredients/bm_imp_6199/

http://www.dietcure.com/fat.html

http://www.ctv.ca/generic/WebSpecials/t ... ssary.html

Once again I'm not here to debate the health benefits of a trans-fat free diet, if one can even exist.
I'm not thrilled with the fact that once again, the local well-doers are trying to make lifestyle decisions for me.

I feel like the debate here is going off track again.

This ban is not about making regulating the diets of people or forcing the off "bad foods." It has nothing to do with simple sugars, caffeine, or other "bad" things we consume.

The question of trans fats has to do with the harmful side effects that are created when we modify vegetable oil to remain solid at room temp and discovering after some time that it is way worse for us than the saturated fats we used to use. Again, this is much more analogous to the banning of certain kinds of food additives. What do you think?

McDonald's, Kingfish, and Krispy Kreme have figured out how to get rid of trans fats--and it's not like their menus are the paragon of health food. Their food is still full of fat. I can't imagine a trans fat ban would result in any less consumption of fat or fatty foods. Why would it?

There are a lot of issues with the trans fat ban that folks have raised. I'm just not getting the passion over a trans fat ban. I don't like slippery slope arguments. Because we act in this case does not inevitably mean that simple carbs and caffeine are next.

Leah mentioned the use of trans fats in her work. I get that (as a sometimes cake decorator). For others of you, what trans fats do you want to consume and why?