Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Nanny State Continues: No Trans Fats for You

By John LaPlante

Categories: California, Nanny State

Whatever happened to "keep your hands off my body?" I know that's from the abortion debate, but it's certainly something that would be useful to remember as governments play chef.

The latest comes via the San Francisco Chronicle: "California is poised to become the first state in the nation to ban restaurants and other food facilities from using trans fats, which are known to increase the risk of heart disease, under a bill approved by the state Legislature Monday and sent to the governor."

Think you've got nothing to worry about if you live outside the Fruits and Nuts state? Think again. The ban does not apply to packaged goods that are sold across state lines, but already advocates are calling on Congress to enact such a ban. And of course they'll use the "enlightened" policies of California as an example to follow.