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Old 10-05-2006, 08:34 AM   #1 (permalink)
ngdawg
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Location: on the back, bitch
New Jersey does it again....

We can't pump our own gas, smoke anywhere other than outdoors, can only buy beer and wine in liquor stores, now our fat intake may come under law:
Quote:
It's official. New Jersey has joined the food fight.

Today, state Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-Monmouth) said she will follow New York City's lead and is going to introduce legislation to ban trans fats from the Garden State's restaurants.

I was listening to (New York mayor) Michael Bloomberg last week, and I was thinking we could do something to really take a bite out of what is harming our bodies," said Karcher. "We could do this by statute in New Jersey. New Jersey is primed."

Last week, New York City health commissioner Thomas Frieden proposed changing the city's health code and eliminating trans fats from the city's restaurants and food carts by 2008.

On the heels of the flap over fois gras -- New Jersey Assemblyman Michael Panter recently proposed banning the gourmet food -- Deborah Dowdell, president of the New Jersey Restaurant Association, has just about had enough.

"I am very, very disappointed that the senator is doing this," said Dowdell, on hearing the news of a possible new law. "It's mind-boggling that we are continually the target of government micromanagement. ... Our industry is feeling angry. We are in the midst of a business climate in New Jersey that is feeling the pinch."

Trans fats, which have been implicated in the rise in obesity, diabetes and heart disease, are synthetically produced in a process called hydrogenation, invented more than a century ago. Trans fats are produced when unsaturated oil is hardened into shortening and margarine. The product, partially hydrogenated oil, is used in cooking and in commercial foods to prevent spoilage and increase shelf life.

Scientists have known for decades the consumption of trans fats, which are found in French fries, cookies and other snack foods, increase the level of bad cholesterol in a person's body. In April, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health reported that the elimination of trans fats from American diets could prevent tens of thousands of cardiac deaths each year.

Still, there is no shortage of pity for the poor spud -- or at least its French-fried relative. Americans consume, on average, about 25 pounds of French fries per person every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Karcher's children, despite her best efforts, are among them
article here

This is getting ridiculous!!! If Karcher wants to police what her own kids eat, fine, but I'm not her kid. Karcher's father, Alan, was a NJ senator-a very large boisterous man. I've met him and the man could chow down. He died several years ago, but of lung cancer, not a heart attack or stroke.
How far should we allow these lawmakers to go? I seem to recall somewhere someone proposed a ban on smoking in one's own car.
/me bangs head on desk....oh wait, is that allowed?
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