Washblog

Labeling and Limiting Artificial Fats in King County Restaurants


This Thursday, July 19, King County's Board of Health will consider two new pieces of legislation to aid in the fight against obesity and heart disease: menu labeling on food content in restaurants and eliminating many sources of artificial transfats. Comments can be taken in person or by email (Kathleen.Uhlorn at metrokc.gov. See Washington Association of local WIC Agencies for more information.

Over half of King County's residents are overweight or obese -- and are consequently at increased risk for chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease. Artificial trans-fats increase the risk for heart attacks, which are the second leading cause of death in King County. These facts are reported in a background document prepared by King County Board of Health for upcoming Menu labeling and transfat legislation. New York City passed similar legislation recently. It's tied up in court -- the restaurant lobby having filed suit to block it.

We're going in this direction -- requiring disclosure on the substances we put in our bodies and moving beyond toxic substances like trans-fats. Legislation, policy, and culture change all have their place in driving this. And the effects of these various approaches are synergistic. For example, legislation like this also boosts public awareness -- giving people the tools to make better choices in their busy lives. Tho this legislation is presented as a health and economic matter, I think of it primarily in terms of the welfare of children who, after all, have little or no choice about where their parents take them to eat.

When my son was about six years old, we stopped the car at the sight of a gloriously perfect climbing tree -- evenly-spaced branches starting out low to the ground and going up forever, it seemed. He was already several branches up when another boy about his age approached. I see that little boy now in my memory, standing there at the bottom of that tree, unable to swing his legs high enough to make it even onto the lowest branch because, given the excess weight on his small frame, the mechanics of it were just wrong. The epidemic of overweight children started years after my childhood was over. It needn't be permanent. We can reverse it. King County's proposed legislation is an important step.

From: Menu labeling and transfat legislation, King County Board of Health

King County Board of Health – July 19, 2007 Menu Labeling and Trans Fat Legislation

There is an obesity epidemic in King County. Over half of our residents are overweight or obese and are consequently at increased risk for chronic disease, including diabetes and heart disease. To address this growing problem, the King County Board of Health sponsors the King County Overweight Prevention Initiative, as well as community efforts to improve access to healthier food and opportunities for physical activity in King County. On July 19th, the Board will consider 2 new pieces of legislation to aid in the fight against obesity and heart disease in King County.

Nutrition Menu Labeling at Chain Restaurants:
The first piece of legislation will require nutrition menu labeling at large chain restaurants in order to provide consumers the information they have the right to know about the products they buy. While customers currently must guess about the calorie and other nutritional content of the food they select at restaurants, with labeled menus they will be able to make informed choices. The legislation would require menus to provide calories, and amounts of carbohydrate, trans fat, saturated fat and sodium for each standard menu item. Restaurants that use menu boards would post calories by each menu item, and provide additional nutrition information in writing at the point-of-ordering. This legislation would take effect one year after Board approval.

Elimination of Artificial Trans Fat:
The second piece of legislation addresses heart disease, which is the second leading cause of death in King County. Studies have found that even small amounts of trans fat increase the risk of coronary heart disease by raising LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreasing HDL (good cholesterol). Artificial trans fats exist in foods fried in or containing hydrogenated oils and alternatives to these oils are widely available. The Board will vote on legislation to ban the use of artificial trans fat in all food establishments, unless the food item contains less than 0.5 grams per serving of artificial trans fat. Another exception will be made for pre- packaged foods sold in their original packaging, such as snack cakes or potato chips. Legislation would be phased in over time.

Testimony or Written Comments on Legislation:
You are invited to make your opinion about the proposed legislation known to the Board of Health. A Public Hearing on both nutrition menu labeling and trans fat elimination will be held at the July 19th King County Board of Health meeting. Brief testimony (2-3 minutes) and/or written comments may be provided to the Board. To testify, it is necessary to sign in prior to the meeting outside the hearing room. Please address written comments to “Members of the King County Board of Health.”

Testify:
King County Board of Health Meeting
JULY 19, 2007 at 1:30 PM
King County Courthouse, Room 1001
Public Health Seattle & King County
516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
999 – 3rd Avenue, Suite 1200

E-mail:
Kathleen.Uhlorn at metrokc.gov

< Goldmark running for lands commissioner | Luke Esser vs. Association of Washington Business >
Display: Sort:
a recent UK study showing a 36% decrease in tree-climbing related injuries and a 35% increase in repetitive stress related injuries

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/02/ngames02.xml

by awickens on Tue Jul 17, 2007 at 05:50:27 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *


July 19, 2007

Contact: James Apa, Public Health, 206-205-2542; Erika Nuerenberg, Julia Patterson's Office, 206-296-1005; David Yeaworth, Sally Clark's Office, 206-684-5328

Menu labeling, trans fat ban approved by the Board of Health

KING COUNTY, WA - People will be able to make more informed food choices and have a safer food supply as the result of today's action by the King County Board of Health to require menu labeling in King County chain restaurants and to eliminate artificial trans fat in all King County restaurants. Board of Health members expressed strong support for the decision that will improve the dining experience and the health of the community in the fight against obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

"The Board of Health is responsible for passing laws to protect the health of the public, and to promote healthy behaviors that improve health and prevent illness," said King County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair Julia Patterson. "There is no better example of our commitment to residents' health than the legislation passed today that protects us from dangerous trans fats and promotes consumer education and informed choices by labeling menus."

"With the menu labeling requirement, the Board has taken a significant step today to enable us make more informed choices about the food we eat," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "And, the elimination of artificial trans fat is great news for preventing heart disease and improving the health of our community."

"Our rising health care costs, our growing number of obese, diabetic and chronically ill residents, and a lack of information to inform choices that improve our health, all prompted the Board of Health to take action today," said Seattle City Councilmember and Board of Health Member Sally Clark.

"Since last December, the King County Board of Health has considered options to halt and potentially reverse the growing obesity trend in our county. After many months of education, discussion and deliberation, as well as the appointment and recommendations from a stakeholder committee, we resolved that banning trans fats and requiring chain restaurants to menu label were important options we could implement," said Issaquah Mayor and Board of Health Member Ava Frisinger. "The worsening health of residents is an extremely complex problem to solve, but eliminating fats we know harm health and providing consumers with information about the food they eat are two strategies that can begin to address and improve our health."

"The American Heart Association has long recognized that the consumption of artificial trans fats and the increase in obesity rates puts people at risk for heart disease," said Dr. Benjamin Danielson, M.D., volunteer spokesperson and local board member for the American Heart Association.  "The Board's action today fits into our comprehensive approach to improving the health of King County residents by empowering all of us to be informed consumers and making healthier eating choices."

"Menu labeling has the support of more than 65% of King County residents, who want to know how healthy, or unhealthy, restaurant meals they enjoy are," said a Board of Health Member Dr. Bud Nicola. "People with diabetes who track their intake of carbohydrates, people with high blood pressure who watch the sodium content of foods, and people who are overweight or obese, who are calorie or fat counting, will all see direct benefits in their ability to manage their condition."

The Board of Health and Public Health -Seattle & King County will be working with the restaurant industry and the public through education campaigns that will prepare them for the menu labeling and trans fat changes in the upcoming months. Technical assistance will be available to restaurants to assist them in following the new regulations. The public education campaign includes plans to work with community partners to ensure that everyone understands how to utilize the nutritional information to make informed choices.

More about menu labeling:

The new law will require chain restaurants with more than ten national locations to display calorie, fat, sodium and carbohydrate information on menus. If the restaurant uses a menu board, the calories will be posted on the board in the same size and font as the price information. The remaining nutritional information will be provided in a plainly visible format at the point of ordering. Only standard menu items will need to be labeled - occasional "specials" will be exempt.

Restaurants will have until August 1, 2008 to conduct the nutritional analysis and put the information on menus and menu boards. King County will be the second jurisdiction in United States to require menu labeling in some food establishments.

More about artificial trans fats:

Trans fats will be eliminated in all King County restaurants in two phases. Fry oils and shortenings with artificial trans fats will not be permissible after April 1, 2008. Restaurants must find alternatives for margarine and all other products containing trans fats by February 1, 2009. Many restaurants have already made the switch to trans fat free alternatives, but the new rules will ensure that the remaining restaurants will make the change as well.

Artificial trans fats have been used widely in the restaurant and processed food industries because they have a high smoking temperature and they keep food stable over a long shelf life. Industry trends have been to find alternatives to the use of trans fats, so there are non-trans fats options available from distributors and in processed products.

The King County Board of Health sets county-wide public health policy, enacts and enforces local public health regulations, and carries out other duties of local boards of health specified in state law. These duties include enforcing state public health statutes, preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease, abating nuisances, and establishing fee schedules for licenses, permits and other services.

by noemie maxwell on Fri Jul 20, 2007 at 12:50:58 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *


Display: Sort:
ROSSI'S BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR
Skims $ Millions
from workers comp to attack Gregoire

CLICK IMAGE

 

 

 

PNW TOPIC HOTLIST

Login

Make a new account
Username:
Password:

 HELP

Recommended Diaries

Washblog RSS Feeds

Political Contacts

Local Media

Coastal/Grays Harbor
Aberdeen Daily World
Chinook Observer
Montesano Vidette
Pacific County Press
Willapa Harbor Herald
KXRO 1320 AM

Olympic Peninsula
Peninsula Daily News
Bremerton Sun
Bremerton Chronicle
Gig Harbor Gateway
Port Orchard Independent
Port Townsend Leader
North Kitsap Herald
Squim Gazette
Central Kitsap Reporter
Business Examiner
KONP 1450 AM

Sound and Islands
Anacortes American
Bainbridge Review
Voice Of Bainbridge
San Juan Journal
The Islands' Sounder
Whidbey NewsTimes
South Whidbey Record
Stanwood/Camano News
Vashon Beachcomber
Voice Of Vashon
KLKI 1340 AM

North Puget Sound
Bellingham Herald
The Northern Light
Everett Herald
Skagit Valley Herald
Lynden Tribune
The Enterprise
Snohomish County Tribune
Snohomish County Business Journal
The Monroe Monitor
The Edmonds Beacon
KGMI 790 AM
KELA 1470 AM
KRKO 1380 AM

Central Puget Sound
King County Journal
Issaquah Press
Mukilteo Beacon
Voice of the Valley
Federal Way Mirror
Bothell/Kenmore Reporter
Kirkland courier
Mercer Island Reporter
Woodinville Weekly

Greater Seattle
Seattle PI
Seattle Times
KOMO TV 4
KIRO TV 7
KING 5 TV
KTBW TV 22
KCTS 9
UW Daily
The Stranger
Seattle Weekly
Capitol Hill Times
Madison Park Times
Seattle Journal of Commerce
NW Asian Weekly
West Seattle Herald
North Seattle Herald-Outlook
South Seattle Star
Magnolia News
Beacon Hill News
KIRO 710 AM
KOMO AM 1000
KEXP 90.3 FM
KUOW 94.9 FM
KVI 570 AM

South Puget Sound
The Columbian
Longview Daily News
Nisqually Valley News
Lewis County News
The Reflector
Eatonville Dispatch
Tacoma News Tribune
Tacoma Weekly
Puyallup Herald
Enumclaw Courier-Herald
The Olympian
KAOS 89.3 FM
KCPQ 13
KOWA FM 106.5
UPN 11

Cascade/Okanogan
Ellensburg Daily Record
Levenworth Echo
Cle Elum Tribune
Snoqualmie Valley Record
Methow Valley News
Lake Chelan Mirror
Omak chronicle
The Newport Miner

Spokane/Palouse
The Spokesman-Review
KREM 2 TV Spokane
KXLY News 4 Spokane
KHQ 6 Spokane
KSPS Spokane
Statesman-Examiner
Othello Outlook
Cheney Free Press
Camas PostRecord
The South County sun
White Salmon Enterprise
Palouse Boomerang
Columbia Basin Herald
Grand Coulee Star
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Yakima Herald-Republic
KIMA 29 Yakima
KAPP TV 35 Yakima
KYVE Yakima
Wenatchee World
Tri-City Herald
TVEW TV 42 Tri-cities
KTNW Richland
KEPR 19 Pasco
Daily Sun News
Prosser Record-Bulletin
KTCR 1340 AM
KWSU Pullman
Moscow-Pullman Daily News