New York Bills Address Trans Fats and HFCS in Foods Sold Statewide

Assembly members have introduced a bill (A10665) similar to legislation in effect in New York City, that would restrict the use of artificial trans fats in foods sold in restaurants and retail food stores. Sponsored by Assemblymen Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn) and Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), the trans fat bill would not allow the use or sale of foods containing trans fat unless sold in the manufacturer’s original sealed and properly labeled package. The measure would take effect as to “oils, shortenings and margarines containing artificial trans fat that are used for frying or in spreads,” 180 days after the bill is passed, and would be effective December 31, 2011, as to “oils or shortenings used for deep frying of yeast dough or cake batter and all other foods containing artificial trans fat.” The law would not apply to products containing less than 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving.

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens), another recently introduced bill (A10574) would prohibit the use or sale of foods containing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in restaurants and retail food stores and forbid its use in the preparation of any food product sold or served in restaurants.

The Center for Consumer Freedom has criticized the bill, calling it “full of gooey thinking.” According to an April 14, 2010, item on its website: “It’s hard to tell which proposal is crazier—this, or a statewide salt ban proposed by another Assemblyman.”