Trans-fat ban in Calgary restaurants

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by badnarik

if the government funds your health care, why shouldn't they be allowed to tell you what to do regarding your health? after all, the government is so much smarter than the common man.

Judging by your last sentance I'm assuming your being sarcastic. It's not that extreme. They are not telling what you can and cannot eat. They are telling food manufacturers what they can and cannot put in their food products.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

^ I just have a problem with the Calgary Health Region deciding what I can and can't eat.

Well, lets let restaurants put whatever they want in their food. They want to put arsenic in, you get arsenic. They want to mix in a little raw chicken that has been sitting on the counter since the morning, well that's okay too!

[RW99]

I tend to agree with the ban, but it is a slippery slope. If no line is drawn, it could end up that we can't have chocolate bars or cola in the future.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

^ I just have a problem with the Calgary Health Region deciding what I can and can't eat.

They aren't deciding what you can eat.

They are deciding what businesses can serve.

Go buy yourself a big bucket of trans fat and jump in it and go for a swim if you like, just don't expect restaurants to use it.

Are you ****ed off that the government won't let the 7-11 down the street from you sell crack? Really, its the same thing.

[Suave]

I am happy to hear that the health region is seeking the ban. Denmark has been trans fat free since 2004 and people can still enjoy their McDonalds, cookies and pastries. They just happen to be eating a healthier version.

I think the comparable to the smoking ban is poor, as we won’t be losing any foods we like to eat or the taste of it. I think a better comparable is the ban on lead in products such as paint and gasoline. The health risks are far to great, especially to children, and a viable alternative exists.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by fotze

Or booze, all the arguments for this could be made for booze. I could really care less about banning this oil. I just worry where it is headed especially knowing Brent Friesen.

Except that booze in small doses isn't harmful and might actually have health benefits. Trans fats are not beneficial in any way.

[Lurch]

I find this offensive as well. I mean, first the government steps in and enforces regulations which keep mice droppings out of restaurant food, now this. If we'd just drop all standards then maybe the market would figure out a solution to the problem that things in your food can't really be discerned by consumers and everyone could be happy.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by badnarik

if the government funds your health care, why shouldn't they be allowed to tell you what to do regarding your health? after all, the government is so much smarter than the common man.

Nice, thumbs up!

Some more:

If the government funds public transport, they should be able to ban you from certain routes

If the government funds public schools, they should be able to ban you from attending certain schools or courses

The government should ban unhealthy food, booze, sports, skydiving, crossing roads...everything that can end up being bad for you.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

The government should ban unhealthy food, booze, sports, skydiving, crossing roads...everything that can end up being bad for you.

I know you are being somewhat tounge in cheek, but let me ask you; can you give me one example of where ingesting trans fats can be good for you? Because in each of your examples I can think of at least one benefit.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I know you are being somewhat tounge in cheek, but let me ask you; can you give me one example of where ingesting trans fats can be good for you? Because in each of your examples I can think of at least one benefit.

Taste - people who eat such food obviously value taste they like more than health consequences. Taste is a benefit for them.

I do have a problem with the fact that cost of these "health consequences" are spread over (public health care funded by taxpayers) but thats a point for another thread and I dont want to derail this one.

[MattyK]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I know you are being somewhat tounge in cheek, but let me ask you; can you give me one example of where ingesting trans fats can be good for you? Because in each of your examples I can think of at least one benefit.

It comforts me and tastes SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD, that's why!

Seriously, a substitute exists that's healthier. It's not that bad. If you really want trans-fats that much, go down to Costco right now and stock up on chips. I haven't heard of them calling on a ban on anything in the stores. Most likely, because things at the store require nutritional information to be printed on them.

When's the last time you walked into a restauraunt and could easily get the nutritional info of an item on the menu? Most places never have it readily available, even though they're required to. Sometimes it could be on a website, sometimes you can call a phone number. But how many people check ahead of time how healthy that giagantic plate of Chicken Alfredo is? (hint: it's not.)

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Taste - people who eat such food obviously value taste they like more than health consequences. Taste is a benefit for them.

And what do polyunsaturated oils taste like? Do they taste better then butter or olive oil?

Companies use them, not because they make food taste better, but because they increase the shelf life of food. That cookie made with trans fats will last X times longer then the same cookie made with butter.

[CaramonLS]

Oh not FOL again.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

And what do polyunsaturated oils taste like? Do they taste better then butter or olive oil?

Companies use them, not because they make food taste better, but because they increase the shelf life of food. That cookie made with trans fats will last X times longer then the same cookie made with butter.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but why do you think restaurants use them? A place like McDonalds doesn't need shelf life since their food is going out right away. I'm assuming taste must atleast be a small part of the equation, or maybe price?

[ken0042]

According to the Chicken on the Way people that Global talked to, non trans fat oil makes the chicken taste different.

Not sure if you might be able to only tell in a taste test, or if it's something you'd get used to. Like when McDonalds changed the Chicken Mcnuggets- I hated them at first but now I'm used to them.

[fanforever1986]

I can't believe people are letting princple get in the way of a health motivated decision. The stuff kills people...there's no hidden agenda.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

McDonalds selects a trans-fat free oil.

They werent really under any sorts of pressure, just NYC banning trans fats kind of forced their hand.

MYK

[the_hound]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Will this alter the taste of food?
What is the cost difference?

No & Nothing

[the_hound]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

A place like McDonalds doesn't need shelf life since their food is going out right away

HAHAHA, never eaten there at non peak hours have ya

[feartheflames]

if you think about it smoking band and trans fat bans could save countless lives... i'm for it