State Senate OKs trans fat ban at lunch

Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) touted the ban as a way to provide healthy food to schoolchildren, particularly those who may be receiving their only hot meals at school.

"This is the right thing to do," said Trotter, the bills' chief sponsor. "We have a responsibility. . .to give our children a healthy start in life, in schools, ensuring that they have the proper things to eat."

If the House and Gov. Rod Blagojevich go along, foods cooked with trans fat would be banned starting in July 2009. Such food would be prohibited in school vending machines a year later. State Board of Education spokesman Matt Vanover said the ban may not have a big effect on school menus because manufacturers have been shying away from the substance for several years. Trans fat is a man-made product that improves the taste and texture of foods, but is known to raise bad cholesterol while attacking good cholesterol. It also contributes to heart disease and diabetes.

Steve - this is a no-brainer. I disagree that it would not have that big of an effect. There are still many prepared foods that are included in school lunch programs that contain trans-fats, especially in baked goods.