L.A. WEIGHING AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRANS-FAT BAN.

Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH and TROY ANDERSON Staff Writers

Unable to legally ban Los Angeles restaurants from using trans fats, city and county leaders unveiled a voluntary program Tuesday for eateries that swear off the heart-hazardous oils, greases and fats.

While still working out details, officials said restaurants that stop using trans fats in their food would be certified by the Department of Public Health and offered free window decals to promote their healthful decision to patrons.

The program's goal over the next 18 months is to use incentives and education to wean the county's 34,000 restaurants off the chemical ingredient linked to heart disease.

``Trans fats are bad for us. They can and should be eliminated from our food,'' said City Councilman Jose Huizar, who has battled high cholesterol and spearheaded the city effort.

``French fries can still be as crispy and cakes still as tasty without trans fats.''

The move comes amid increased concern about a national increase in heart attack rates and a surge in obesity.

In Los Angeles County, officials have said the obesity rate among adults soared from 14.3 percent in 1997 to 20.9 percent less than a decade later -- a collective gain of 44 million pounds.

``The scientific evidence is quite strong that trans fats contribute to cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer in Los Angeles County,'' said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the public health director. ``The estimates are that 30,000 people may die a year due to the use of trans fats.''

Both the City Council and Board of Supervisors had considered following New York City in trying to ban restaurants' use of trans fats.

But the county Department of Public Health found that only the state can regulate what oils restaurants cook with. Instead, the county can encourage restaurants to switch and then help them promote their healthier choices.

Several bills are now pending in the state Legislature that would regulate the use of trans fats at restaurants, including a bill by Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, D-Compton, that would give the county authority to restrict trans fats.

In the meantime, the county and city still are considering whether to ban trans fat at the cafeterias and vendors that serve food at city- and county-sponsored events.

The voluntary proposal unveiled Tuesday has the support of the California Restaurant Association, which had opposed an outright ban.

Spokesman Andrew Casana said many restaurants have never used -- or have stopped using -- trans fats and are eager to promote the voluntary program in health-conscious L.A.

Trans fat is produced when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, which helps the oil last longer. It's widely used in frying oil; in processed foods as partially hydrogenated oils; and in ingredients such as margarine and shortening.

A number of food chains and other businesses have taken steps to eliminate trans fats, including Wendy's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Chili's, Royal Caribbean International, Johnny Rockets and Starbucks.

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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