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Two counties ban restaurants' use of trans fats

ALBANY N.Y. Albany County, N.Y., and Montgomery County, Md., have followed the lead of New York City and Philadelphia by banning the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants.

The 37 Albany County lawmakers voted unanimously to prohibit trans fats and instructed the county health commissioner to develop a plan to phase it out in products used for frying, baking and in spreads. County executive Mike Breslin is expected to sign the resolution. The New York State Restaurant Association previously had requested that lawmakers postpone their vote "until the full impact of the New York City ban is known."

The New York ban on trans fats - also known as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil - will be phased in beginning in July.

The Montgomery County Council also unanimously approved a ban on the use of trans fats in restaurants and supermarket bakeries. The measure will take effect January 2008 for restaurants using oils, shortenings or margarines containing artificial trans fats. and January 2009 for supermarket bakeries. Supermarkets will be able to sell prepackaged food products containing artificial trans fats.

Saying the foodservice industry already is moving in this direction, the Restaurant Association of Maryland does not intend to oppose the measure.

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