N.Y.C. Admin. Code § L.L. 2007/012: L.L. 2007/012

Enactment date: 3/28/2007

Int. No. 517

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Gentile, James, Koppell, Nelson, Stewart, Sears, Recchia Jr., Rivera, Baez, Martinez, Dickens and Weprin

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to prohibiting the use of artificial trans fats by food service establishments and mobile food unit commissaries.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. Trans fat intake increases the risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in New York City. Because a significant portion of dietary trans fat comes from foods purchased at food service establishments and mobile food unit commissaries, the presence of artificial trans fat purchased at such establishments contributes to cardiovascular risk in New York City. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, recommend that dietary intake of trans fat be "as low as possible."

On December 5, 2006, pursuant to the authority granted to it by § 558 of the New York City Charter, the Board of Health unanimously approved a resolution to amend Article 81 of the New York City Health Code to restrict the use of artificial trans fat in food service establishments and mobile food unit commissaries regulated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The Council finds that the presence of artificial trans fat in foods prepared in food service establishments and mobile food unit commissaries poses a threat to the public health. Therefore, the Council finds it warranted to incorporate the ban on artificial trans fat into the Administrative Code.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 3. This local law shall take effect on July 1, 2007 with respect to oils, shortenings and margarines containing artificial trans fat that are used for frying or in spreads; and shall take effect on July 1, 2008 with respect to oils or shortenings used for deep frying of yeast dough or cake batter, and for all other foods containing artificial trans fat.