Health Board Expected To Pass Revised Proposal on Trans Fats

The Board of Health today is expected to pass a revised version of the Bloomberg administration's proposal to ban artificial trans fats from city restaurants, along with a plan that would require many chain restaurants to prominently display caloric information for customers to see.

The plan, announced by the city's health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Frieden, would phase out all trans fats in restaurants by July 2008, but it has drawn complaints from most corners of the restaurant industry. The chief criticism has been that the city is moving too quickly to enforce its proposal, leading Dr. Frieden to say last month that the plan would be amended when the city presents it to the 11-member Board of Health for a vote today.

City officials have been tight-lipped about what changes have been made, but they are expected to give restaurants more time to comply with the ban. The board may make its own revisions to the plan as well, but industry officials expect it to pass easily.

Since the city announced its proposal, some chains, including Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell, have disclosed plans to reduce the amount of trans fat on their menus.

The dispute over trans fat and menu labeling won't end with today's vote, however. The city is expecting lawsuits from national chains, and a spokesman for the National Restaurant Association said the group is exploring its options.

City Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. also is planning to introduce a bill that would codify whatever policy the Board of Health approves. Some industry officials have criticized the administration for bypassing the council in seeking the new rules.

While Mr. Vallone's bill is expected to mimic the administration's proposal, sources say other council members may introduce different versions of the menu-labeling requirement, which has also drawn criticism from the industry. Dr. Frieden has said a council move could complicate the city's legal case for implementing the proposals.