National Restaurant Association And Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association Applaud Trans Fat Decisions In Los Angeles, CA

Washington, D.C. - Recently, Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association and Cal Dooley, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturers /Food Products Association issued the following statement regarding rulings on trans fat in Los Angeles, California and Multnomah County, Oregon restaurant and foodservice locations:

"We applaud the efforts of the California Restaurant Association in partnering with Los Angeles municipal officials to put into place a voluntary incentive program that will help phase out the use of trans fats in restaurant and foodservice locations."

"Equally, we are pleased that the Oregon Restaurant Association and officials in Multnomah County have worked cooperatively to form a program to educate the public about trans fats."

"These two decisions recognize industry's commitment to removing trans fat, as well as the agricultural marketplace and supply realities that impact the speed with which trans fats can be replaced with healthier fats and oils. Many restaurants and packaged food companies have already worked to significantly reduce or remove trans fat in restaurants and packaged foods."

"Clearly, an incentive-based, phased-in approach to replacing trans fat with healthier oils is the right strategy, and will significantly diminish the impact and unintended consequences of an outright ban."

"Our industries are committed to practical, achievable and long-term solutions that will have a positive health impact on consumers, and that allow us to make the products those consumers know and love. We are hopeful that other state and municipal officials who are considering a ban on trans fat will look to Los Angeles, and Multnomah County as leaders in developing a realistic plan for moving away from trans fat."

SOURCE: The National Restaurant Association