by KYW's Mike Dunn
From food carts to upscale hot spots, Philadelphia restaurants have readily accepted the city's seven-month old ban on trans fats, according to the city's new health commissioner.
The law banning trans fats in Philadelphia took effect last September, and since then, checking for the artery-clo.gif)
gging fats has been part of every restaurant inspection. The Mayor’s health commissioner is Dr. Donald Schwarz (right):
"We're inspecting menus and we're inspecting kitchens for ingredients that are high in trans fat. We're educating establishments, and we're citing them, so that we can go back and make sure that they've taken corrective action."
Schwarz says restaurant owners have come to accept the ban:
"I think people have embraced this. It's understood that it's an important public health issue. We've in general found restaurateurs who are taking this on as a challenge in a positive way: 'what can we do to maintain good taste, and yet comply the ordinance and good public health practice?'"
Because Philadelphia is one of the first major cities to ban trans fats, Schwarz says his department is blazing new ground:
"We have had to develop forms and lists essentially of ingredients so are inspectors know what to look for."
Eateries found to have trans fats in their goods get a citation, and a repeat visit from an inspector. Bakeries are exempt (see related story).
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