Boston trans fat ban receives final approval

I just wonder who elected these health 'officials' who are seemingly un-named and have the power to decide major initiatives outside the realm of public accountability. First tobacco in private businesses. Now trans-fat in private business. Where does the justification of 'for the public good' end? What power & influence these shadows have...

Another example of big government getting bigger, welcome to the Nanny State, where the politicians treat the minions like children and tell them what to eat. What next, setting a bedtime for us?

Unhealthly people is good for the drug and medical community but not for us!!! This is the best thing in a long time!!! Americans are the most overweight people, the sickness, and has the most people on perscription drugs amongst countries like us. Most Americans do not care about their health at all. Almost every food in the supermarket is bad for you. The government has to step in, sorry. About time!

Check almost any product in the SM and you will find these ingredients ..

- high frucose corn syrup
- enriched flour
- partially hydrogented oils
All three are horrible for you and make you fat and sick.

Oh man. Anyone that thinks this is a good idea needs to have their head examined. I DO NOT NEED TO STOP EATING ANYTHING. I'm not a fat pig. I know the difference between good and bad.

As for smoking, hell, I don't even smoke and I'd rather be in a resturant SITTING IN THE SMOKING SECTION cause I'm an ADULT and like to sit with other ADULTS not children.

What about that? Kids running around a screaming. That's a health hazzard TO ME. Where's the law?

No law. We are ASSUMED retarded to the point of not being able to take care of ourselves.

I wonder what they'll ban next... Maybe they'll ban reading the Constitution? Or maybe personal responsibility in general? Welcome to Communist Massachusetts.

It's interesting that people feel that banning trans fats in prepared food is somehow compromising their civil liberties. The state is exerting limited control over a substance that is proven to cause health problems. In this context the ban on trans fats in prepared food is no different than the limited control that the state exerts over alcohol or cigarette purchases.
If you want to exercise your civil liberties; fight back and force this issue into the public view. Or you could always go the store and buy some trans fats for home use in the form of vegetable shortening or margarine.

People, did you catch this sentence?
"Packaged goods clearly labeled as containing trans fat can still be sold."

They're not taking away your civil liberties.

I have mixed feelings about this action. On one hand, it is good to move toward limiting the consumption of a hazardous food. But, on the other hand, doing it sets a dangerous precedent for the curtailment of liberties. If Boston health officials are going in this direction, they ought to ban the use of tobacco and intoxicating liquors at the same time. But, wait a minute, we already did that (liquor), and had to change our minds...will Boston have bootlegged fried clams? French fry speakeasies?

I have mixed feelings about this action. On one hand, it is good to move toward limiting the consumption of a hazardous food. But, on the other hand, doing it sets a dangerous precedent for the curtailment of liberties. If Boston health officials are going in this direction, they ought to ban the use of tobacco and intoxicating liquors at the same time. But, wait a minute, we already did that (liquor), and had to change our minds...will Boston have bootlegged fried clams? French fry speakeasies?

It's an excellent idea, we are all paying for the hign cost of health care. Why should we allow companies to place something in our food that scientific evidence has proven harmful for human consumption. If government did'nt regulate we would have nuclear waste in our drinking water.

Oh yeah, because fried clams have always been made w/ hydrogenated oils. French fries are impossible to make w/o trans fats. C'mon! Hydrogenated fats/oils were invented by big business in order to reduce expenses and prolong shelf life. Now that they're confirmed to be a health-risk we should just keep on eating them! Wouldn't want to disrupt the status quo or take away our 'liberties'.

Duke, you are missing the point, why do we need the government to dictate to us what we eat? Make information available about what kinds of foods have trans fat and let GROWN,EDUCATED ADULTS make their own choice.

stop your whining... this is a good thing.

I would like to see a ban on politicians. They make people sick and poor.

I would like to see a ban on politicians. They make people sick and poor.

How about letting people make their own decisions.
The Government allows the sale of alcohol which has caused many a problems (Drunk Driven, Domestic Violence, Internal Bodily Problems, Bar fights, etc.) Our Government allows the sales of cigarettes which causes more problems for your arteries than Trans Fat.
Let the People decide their own fate. What has happened to this world? Cigarettes & Alcohol Legal........Trans Fat, not? We're screwed.

WE ARE NOT FREE ANYMORE. IF THE GOVERNMENT MADE MONEY OFF TRANS FAT, I'D BET IT ALL WE WOULD BE BRAINWASHED TO THINK THAT IT"S GOOD FOR YOU.
A new war on Oil? We just can't win.
Where the hell are our priorities?

Our priorities are so not in order.

You people are ridiculous, what are you all talking about? Banning trans fat is not infringing on anyone's civil liberties. You can buy all the trans fat you want at the store. They are just saying businesses can't contribute to an overall, PROVEN, health hazard. oh and Joe if you want to go sit with smokers go right ahead, in your own home, but no one should be subjected to other people's second hand smoke when it's a proven killer, much like trans fat. No one is saying you can't take care of yourself, the health officials are telling big business to figure out a way to make everyone's beloved french fries taste the same without the trans fat. Hey guess what if enough people complain, someone will figure it out just like we do with everything.

Let's not forget that the government is not only there to serve us but also protect us. In the scheme of things we need to ask ourselves is taking away trans fat that much of a big deal? Especially when we all know it's bad for us and serves a greater purpose by protecting the health of the people in Boston. Where in the constitution does it say you have a right to trans fat? I'm quite certain it does mention the governments duty to protect its citizens though.

I appreciate the fact that I no longer have to worry about going to a restaurant and being fed trans fat.

What most of you don't understand is that it's very easy to eliminate trans fat... all that has to happen is they have to fry foods in different kinds of oil. I live in Brookline, which banned trans fat last year. I eat in places where you can guarantee they once sold trans fat in every sandwich. The taste hasn't even changed. The prices have stayed relatively the same. You won't notice anything, trust me.

Way long over due!!! if we did leave it up to the individual to make these decisons, well we would all be dead long ago, for people are just to lazy to research what they are putting in there bodies, so of course it takes a higher intelligence to inform them instead. It makes me wonder what kind of person would argue with the need to irradicate or ban a harmul, artificial substance, that does no good but to harm them. What it might take for these deniers to see the light is when they are lying in a hospital bed hooked up to a machine to keep there hearts pumping... now go eat your veggies!!!

It never fails to amuse me how it is always "someone or something else" that is the cause of your demise i.e. the transfat in the food that is the cause of your bad health or the sale of alcohol that is the cause of alcoholism....give me a break!!! i have never seen anyone force this down your throat. We as "adults" have the choice what we put in our mouths and there are more than enough choices (good and bad). Stop whining and choose to live a healthy life...after all we need to be role models for our children....but oh!...I forgot ....we don't have to be because the causes of obesity in children are the "unhealthy school lunches, fast food, sodas...etc..etc..

They did not make trans-fats illegal, read the story! The point of the ban is not to ban them outright, but allow people to make the decision. Most restaurants do not and will not post their ingredients, this allows people to make an informed choice. Either buy pre-packaged foods that are labeled and can contain trans-fats or know that prepared food you order will not contain them.

Thank God we have a government that knows and dictates what is good for us. Soon we won't have any personal responsibility left as government assumes it all.

If the Boston Tea Party gang were around today they'd be dumping these do-gooders in the Harbor!

I think the only thing that people in this state are good at is whining.

I am so for this ruling. Of my family that has died, and at this time only one Uncle and the people that I've given birth to are living, all have died of heart attacks or had a secondary problem of coronary artery disease. Let me tell you that it's not fun having lost so many loved ones. Their diets were horrendous, and nothing that was said to them or any of the information about eating healthy that they came across made any difference. The only way that they would have had a chance of eating a better diet during their lifetimes would have been if t this ban on trans fats had happened earlier. So, for all the people that have made this a reality - Thank you.

Reminds of a recent episode of King of the Hill.

Am I gonna miss trans fats? Not at all! However, I don't need the government telling me what I can and can't eat! I agree with letting people make their own decisions. Is that not the ideal on which this country was founded?
I realize that all the same foods can be cooked without trans fats and such, but, philisophically this is a very bad thing.

Freedom shmeedom. Stop kidding yourself. At least with politics we sort of get a say. With business-dictated diets, we get ironically no input as to what we put in our mouths. We're all such sheep that we'll buy any food that we're told to. Moreover, if 100% of these manufacturers are giving us food with this apparently unhealthy, hydrogen-enriched corn and soy oil, then we don't have any choice, and hence no freedom. Besides, who says we're educated? Four years of college education (which hardly accounts for the "masses" anywhere, even MA) doesn't mean you're educated enough to make your own decisions. Bottom line: I'd rather lose my freedom to the benefit of the public welfare (dubbed the onerous "big government"), than to companies that treat food like a commodity, the people like cattle, and soil like a bottomless pit of money.

I see all the complaints about this ban as the government is becoming too powerful and liberties are taken away. Very understandable, but have you seen our fellow citizens lately? 1/3 of our country consists of obese pigs and the other 2/3 is just plain overweight. There are people in this country that have decided not to make the right decisions for their health and because of them, this ban is happening. Don't blame the politicians, blame the overweight and obese assholes (ones who did screw themselves over, not those with genetic circumstances) who decided to screw their health over by not being physically active and eating crap (aka trans fat, saturated fat etc).

In addition, because of all these heart problems that people attain from eating this crap, medical treatment for the US is economically worse. It is more expensive to pay for treatment than for prevention (diet, exercise). As a nation we spend a total of 88% of our money total on treatment, and only 3% on prevention. Unfortunately, we are a country that does not take action to prevent a problem, we are a country that waits for a problem to occur, then treat it. People choose to be unhealthy and reserve their right to do so, which sucks because we are a rich country and a global superpower and we can't get our own citizens fit and healthy. Quite ironic.

If people actually take care of themselves by diet and exercise, this ban would not be initiated across the country and none of you would have to suffer.

CAN ANY OF YOU READ???

The government is not telling you that you can not eat trans fats. They are simply making companies responsible for serving food that may be harmful to you. There are lots of food items that contain trans fats and yet there is no way for a consumer to know because restaurants do not have to post ingredients.

Idiots, all of you. Seriously. Learn how to read and comprehend.

Thanks for thinking for me, government. I'm so thrilled that I won't have to think for myself and make my own informed decisions now.

You can still consume all the transfats you would like. They aren't "banned" it just has to be clearly stated on the label that the product contains transfats.

If our country implements national health care we are going to have to lower the rate of obesity and diabetes in this country. If people aren't going to take care of themselves, and eat food that is harmful to their bodies on a regular basis, then yes something needs to be done.

Why should healthy people who choose to eat a balanced diet without transfats be required to pay the cost of those who wish to be overweight and unhealthy? Why should I be forced to sit through a movie or ride on a plane with someone who ways 300 pounds, takes up over two seats and snores like a chainsaw?
What you eat doesn't only affect you, it affects the rest of America as well. Being an American entitles you to the persuit of life, liberty and property. Notice fast food wasn't included in the list of American rights. 30% of all children will become diabetic in their lifetimes. Who is going to pay for this?

I live in Utah where most people are not concerned with ingredients, but taste and large portions. Stop me now, I 'm generalizing, and labeling! Of course healthy,conscious people exist all over the state. One way to detect health is clothes size.Am I wrong? Da?,thin people can be unhealthy too. So, I figure to play it safe omit the trans fat! 13 years ago, my OBGYN told me to not eat Trans fat, high fructose corn syrup, because of the ill effects. I believe knowledge is power smoking used to be fancy, now trashy. Crisco, was the choice for Betty Crocker homemaker, now it is the families unhealthy home wrecker. It is all about evolving and keeping up with other countries abolishing trans fat . I am a partner who owns a store, 100% trans fat free not because the government told me to because I don't want to kill my customers. The food is sooo good and remember to eat proper servings. Too much healthy food makes one fat. I like laws, seat belts, helmets, drinking and driving, the list goes on. Some people need to be reminded on how to behave and for the people that do behave--- why do you get so angry about the laws? Think of the law, not as a fear of your rights being taken away, but as a protection.

I'm not sure why some people are complaining about the fact that they we are unable to eat transfat. It's not a good thing, it's something that we should all be staying away from. I think it is the right thing for the gov't to get involved becasuse as we can see with the increase of obesity many people are not understanding the true health risks that go along with trans fats.