California Set to Ban Trans Fat

Consumer group issues its annual list

(NEWSER) - The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released its annual list of calorie bombs available at chain restaurants. Among the winners of the "Xtreme Eating Awards":

• Cheesecake Factory's Pasta Carbonara with Chicken: 2,500 calories and 85 grams of saturated fat.
• Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger: 920 calories and 30 grams of saturated fat. Want fries with that? A large order has 1,500 calories.

Get ready for sticker shock, as nutrition info hits menus

(NEWSER) - Thanks to new laws, calorie counting is back in vogue and bigger than ever, writes the New York Times. After decades of diets that focused on the balance of fat, protein, and carbs, “More and more, people are looking at calories in, and calories out,” a doc tells the Times. Chain restaurants in New York are now required to print the calorie content of dishes next to prices, and the harsh truth is prompting some menu changes. More»

Nation's first state-wide restrictions hits restaurants in 2010, baked goods in '11

(NEWSER) - California became the first state to ban trans fats from restaurant and bakery cooking today, the Los Angeles Times reports. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill passed last week by the legislature, saying it would help Californians’ health. Some restaurateurs, such as Wolfgang Puck—who had already phased the oils out due to customer requests—supported the measure. More»

Calgary becomes nation's first city to regulate trans fats

(NEWSER) - America’s war on trans fats has spread to Canada, where tomorrow Calgary will become the first city to regulate their use. Restaurants will be banned from cooking with ingredients or serving foods containing more than 2% trans fat in total fat content. Some restaurants currently offer food with trans fat levels as high as 42%, the Globe and Mail reports. More»

Moratorium proposed on unhealthy eateries in South LA

(NEWSER) - There is so much fast food in South Los Angeles, and so much obesity, that city officials are considering banning any new outlets. A two-year moratorium on new fast-food eateries has been proposed for an area where 30% of adults and 29% of kids are obese (compared with just over 20% and 23%, respectively, for the county overall). “To be honest, it’s all we eat,” one resident told the Los Angeles Times. More»