Jul 22, 2008 5:58 pm US/Central
Mpls. Might Join The Pack Of Banning Trans Fats
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
Minneapolis may be joining the pack of cities who are regulating restaurants by eliminating trans fats from their menus.
City councilman Ralph Remington said his office, along with the health department, has been studying eating habits. They don't like what they're seeing.
"The rates of stroke, diabetes, heart attack are going through the roof. And it definitely happens in primarily lower income communities. I look at it as a social justice issue," said Remington.
Now he thinks it's time for a menu change.
Collin Peterson, a Minneapolis city worker, said he eats fast food four to five times a week.
"Usually I don't have time to make stuff so I'll just get whatever is convenient," said Peterson.
The councilmember wants local fast food restaurants to use nutrition labels on their foods so you can know exactly how many calories and trans fats are in that burger and fries.
"I'd know how many calories or fat that I'm getting so I would probably eat less," said Julie Bosika.
"I don't know if it should be mandated. It seems like maybe they should leave it up to the individual businesses to decide whether or not if they want to put that information on there," said Sarah Elbert.
Some of the numbers may surprise you and it may make you think twice before taking a bite. Did you know a Big Mac has 540 calories? And the Whopper -- a whopping 680 calories?
Knowledge is power... but not necessarily willpower.
"Naw, I wouldn't change (eating habits). I'd be drawn more to it cause then I'd know what the calories were, if you're counting calories, I'm not counting calories," said Alonzo Smith.
The food label proposal would not apply to small mom and pop shops.
Remington said he'll present an official proposal to the city council by the end of the year.
Los Angeles is considering a ban on new restaurants like McDonalds; it wants to stop the opening of any new fast food joints within 32 square miles of the city limits.
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