WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Louisville considering ban on Trans Fats

Louisville considering ban on Trans Fats

By Maira Ansari - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - As America gets fatter, cities across the country are looking at ways to get healthier. The latest target - Trans fats. Some cities have banned them and now Louisville is considering it. But should it be your choice what to eat?

At Cake Flour in Louisville, everything that is made at the bakery is pretty much as healthy as you can get if you have a sweet tooth.

“We're a natural and organic bakery.  There are no artificial colors or sweeteners,” said owner Claudia DeLatorre.

And another thing missing from these cupcakes and cookies - trans fat.

“I'm a true believer that if it lasts too long on your shelf, there is something seriously wrong,” said DeLatorre.

DeLatorre opened her bakery 15 months ago and thinks there should be more public awareness about the dangers of trans fats. It is something the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness has been looking into for the past eight months.

“They in fact cause increase in coronary artery disease, obesity, type two diabetes and increase in stroke. They are not necessary for production of food,” said Dr. Adewale Troutman, director of Metro Public Health and Wellness.

“I think a lot of places are set in their ways,” said DeLatorre.

Plehn’s Bakery in St. Matthews has been around since 1924. Owner Bernie Bowling said that most of the products they make are trans fat free, with the exception of the icing. Bowling said it would be difficult for him to decorate the cakes if he wasn't able to use trans fats. He is worried that a ban could hurt his business and others.

“It will change a lot of the mom and pop restaurants. Make it hard for them. It's not going to hurt Yum or McDonalds. They have labs that can do all the research and develop things,” said Bowling.

If a ban is recommended, the health department will have to decide if it should apply only to prepared foods in restaurants and bakeries or extend to pre-packaged foods in stores and vending machines. In January 2008, the Metro Council passed a resolution for the health department to conduct an educational campaign about the dangers of trans fats and to see if ban would be appropriate. Tuesday, a public forum took place at the Metro Public Health and Wellness office, 400 E. Gray Street, to see what people have to say.

There will be another public forum on Thursday, October 29, at Metro Public Health and Wellness at 6 p.m. The health department hopes to have a decision by Christmas.

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