Say goodbye to trans fats.
Beginning Wednesday, B.C. is to become the first province to restrict trans fats in restaurant foods, but critics say it may hurt smaller establishments.
"We want to make sure British Columbia has in place a regulation that helps make British Columbians' food choices healthy choices," Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport, told CTV News Wednesday.
The minister says the regulations will be enforced by the environmental health officers who are already monitoring food safety at B.C. restaurants.
"On top of checking to make sure things are safe, they will also be required to ask if the restaurant is compliant with the regulations," Chong said.
Restaurants caught breaking the rules could be subject to a monetary fine. Chong says the ministry will allow at least a month of leeway before any fines are given out in order to allow restaurants to become used to the new rules.
B.C.-based food chain White Spot made the move to switch to trans fat-free oil four years ago, starting with hamburger buns and bread. Menu development vice-president Cathy Tostenson says poultry gravy and pie crusts were the last products they sold containing trans fat.
Mark von Schellwitz of the Canadian Food and Restaurant Federation says while major chains are prepared for the new regulations, smaller outlets may not understand how to comply with the new regulations.
"The end result might be their menu selection will be reduced significantly because they're not sure what the trans fat levels will be," he said.
Another problem may be restaurant suppliers. Thousands of B.C. food providers rely on U.S. supply chains, where most states have no similar restrictions.
"Right now suppliers can still offer those trans fat products and its up to the operators to try and figure out what's going to be compliant."
Von Schellwitz also says suppliers may up the cost trans free alternatives to cash in on the mandatory rule. He advocates a comprehensive federal regulation that includes all areas of the food sector.
British Columbia isn't the first province to try banning trans fats.
Calgary introduced restrictions two years ago, but an overhaul in Alberta's health care system in early 2009 meant restaurants could put them back on the menu.
New York banned trans fats in prepared restaurant foods in July 2008.
A healthy heart
B.C.'s regulation was drafted with help from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C & Yukon. The organization says trans fats are responsible for 3,000 heart disease related deaths in the country each year.
The new law was first introduced in the 2008 throne speech. It will affect all establishments requiring a permit to operate a food service in B.C., including restaurants, delis, cafeterias, educational and health-care institutions, schools, special events and most bakeries.
The new restrictions specify all soft margarines and oils must contain two per cent or less of the total fat content. All other food must meet a restriction of five per cent.
Pre-packed foods with a Canadian Nutrition facts table on the packaging are exempt from the restrictions, meaning most items sold in grocery stores are not included.
The deal on fats
Trans fats come in two forms. The first is naturally occurring, found in ruminant meat like lamb or beef, and dairy products.
The second, more harmful, is industrially produced. This form can be found in partially-hydrogenated oils, margarines and shortenings, as well as many pastries, donuts and other baked goods.
The industrially produced fats increase a person's risk of coronary disease by raising levels of bad cholesterol and lowering levels of good cholesterol, leading to clogged arteries, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Sarah Galashan
