Once again California takes the lead, look for bans to spread.

Legislation to ban the artery clogging fats was signed on Friday making California the first U.S. state to prohibit restaurants from preparing food with trans fats.

THe ban follows bans in New York City and Philadelphia and is likely to put the pressure on other states to follow in banning the widely used fats which significantly increase the risk of heart disease.
 
The ban is to be phased in starting in 2010.oss California, a trend-setting state where diet-conscious legislation has been gaining momentum in recent years.

Trans fats are used widely by fast food restaurants, in fried foods, baked foods, and processed foods to extend their shelf life.  The use by the food industry, and consumption of trans fats, has grown significantly over the last decade, even though it is known that they increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

Many restaurants nad  fast food chains have begun to phase the fats out, as the health risks have become more publicized. 

Trans fats are still found in many processed items found on grocery store shelves. Items claiming to have  zero trans fats can have small amounts of the fats in them.