I was just wondering how this is going to affect bakers in NYC. How do you make buttercream without shortening?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/12/05/ny.trans.fat.ap/index.html [/url]

It's really sad that so many people are paranoid of fat .....to the point where it is considered a crime to cook with it. It is really a personal choice and should not be forced down everyone's throat.. i think it is pathetic. It might stop people from dying of a heart attack, but it won't stop the terrorists from attacking again, not that it will happen again ! would it ? .... sorry, I'm just being realistic.

as for the cake bakers, that is a big drawback. I'm glad I do not live there ANYMORE !! I hope such a "law" won't travel far and across the nation.

Good Gravey! When they start upholding the laws and prosecuting the people who commit crimes against children. When they outlaw hunger, when they outlaw ignorance etc.........then lets worry about transfat. Hello we still have alcohol, and ciggaretts. Like I said before stay out of my pantry and my bedroom!

Well, I believe that eventually it will spread with the southern states being last and putting up a fight. lol. I know lots of people that don't want to eat healthy just because they like all that grease and fat and well, I have to admit...greasy french fries are darn good!

I feel it's good to be health conscious and if there's something out there that tastes the SAME, bakes the SAME and costs the SAME, then why not?

Life is strange.

Trying to be health conscious, many people looked for alternatives to butter, and McDonalds switched from using beef tallow to cook their fries to something healthier, etc......

And now it turns out that the healthier alternatives are, in some cases, even worse!

I can't wait for some new study to determine that the perfect diet is a hamburger, fries, chocolate shakes and fries - but only if followed by a good sized piece of CAKE!!!

For those that don't want to follow such strict guidelines: any meal, accompanied by cakes is acceptable

Kidding aside, transfat is totally man-made and banning it will be the biggest incentive that the oil processors have for coming out with new and improved products.

BTW, it is possible to have trans-free shortening - Crisco already has it on the shelves, and it is available in health food stores. Perhaps this ban will result in more sales of these products bringing the cost down so that it is affordable to purchase in large quantities.

I, too, agree that this is starting to get out of hand. I prefer to consume as little trans fat as possible, but I don't think the gov't should have a say in what I eat. That being said, Crisco has come out with a trans fat free shortening. The can is green instead of blue. If you go to www.crisco.com you can search for a specific product and it will tell you which stores in your area carry it.

~Chelle

Why not make buttercream with butter? It tastes heck of a lot nicer anyway.

I was reading the responses and I went to the grocery store on my lunch break to check out the trans-fat free Crisco. Well, I find it on the shelf. I pick up the jar and read the ingredients and it is full of trans fats. Then I pick up the regular (blue) can and they have the exact same ingredients. Something is fishy. I'm sure they could be sued for this.

That's true Emma but in warmer weather it is difficult to keep it from melting quickly.

"Trans fat" comes from the way the make the fat solid at room temperature. It would not necessarily change the ingredients.

From my understanding, if the oil is hydrogenated, partially or fully then it classifies as trans fat.

Here's a site that explains a little about trans fat:

http://ific.org/publications/qa/transqa.cfm

Hydrogenated fat, either partially or fully, is trans fat. It is awful stuff and I have banned it from my house over a year ago. I applaud New York for banning it. If I am understanding my mother-in-law correctly, it has been banned in europe for some time now. It is terrible stuff and will kill you. Yes they need to get rid of hunger and child abusers too, but why not do anything to help these kids. Banning trans fats will help them live better lives. These kids don't have say in what they are eating, so isn't it abuse to feed them things that can kill them in the long run??? I grew up on these thigs and it has been hard to give them up. But for my health, my husbands health, and my kids health, we do not use them. I can't justify giving my kids something that has the potential to give them heart disease just because it tastes good, or is easier.

Look I am not saying not to eat healthy but that is a choice as is drinking your self to death and smoking they are still legal. Although they are working on a law to make it illeagle( so shoot me I can't spell) to smoke in your home or car if minors are present. How are they going to enforce that. I don't smoke so don't razz me on that.

There are so many other things that need addressing NOW. The gov't is in my life enough already. I would like to think I am intelligent enough to decide what is good for my body and what is not.

Now I've spent enough time complaining on a silly law and being serious, my head is starting to hurt I need a laugh fix. Twinsy, GE where are you!!!

Bigger things to worry about:

1) gasoline prices
2) terrorist attacks
3) over crowded class rooms
4) cure for Breat Cancer
5) cure for AIDS
6) Cure for Diabetes
7) guilty criminals who shot Police Officers who are still not found
8 finding missing children
9) Global warming
10) stem cell research
11) Iraq/ Middle East problems

and all they think about is what kind of FAT to eat ?

Watch, in a few years there will be another study that says the trans fats were not as bad as they thought they were. My family members that are organic foods only, exercise, etc. are all getting cancer and dying.

I just wish that they would realize that Crisco is not the enemy, sitting on our butts all day is, especially when it starts at a young age. I just wish they would look at the REAL long term statistics to know that GENETICS is still the #1 risk factor for heart disease, and many forms of cancer. You can't run from your genetics. Also, the instances of heart disease have gone down because of better medicine/detection/screening, along with healthier eating, lifestyle changes, and medications. Remember the days when eggs, piece of toast and a couple pieces of bacon was for breakfast, then, it was taboo to eat that and you should just eat the complex carbs instead only for everyone to start becoming FATer. HMMMMmmmm.. The jury still seems to be out, which is the healthier choice, butter, lard, or Crisco???

Then, they say "it starts in the schools" but then they cut gym class and recess out of the day and can't figure out why more kids are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at younger and younger ages.. Hmmmm.. I don't want to even get started on the Organics discussion because you cannot wash E.Coli and Salmonella off, I think THAT is a bigger health risk than 1 tsp. of Crisco you're going to have in a piece of cake that's frosted.

NY - GET A CLUE, lack of activity is more harmful than eating an entire tub of crisco will ever be.

The trans fat issue is just with restaurants and bakeries...right? I think so many people have complained about how they want healthier food to eat on the go that this is one of the ways the govt decided to help out.

People are more health conscious today and they have voiced their concern about fast food. They need to be able to eat on the run with work and busy schedules and fast food menus are now starting to come out with healthier foods wihich I think is great. I read that many restaurants have already stopped using trans fats even before the ban. Not just in NY but other states as well.

I didn't know this and I havn't noticed a difference in my cheeseburger or fries yet! I eat healthy but once in awhile I like having a greasy cheeseburger and some even greasier fries! I don't think there's anything wrong in that. lol

The govt has lots of issues to deal with and they do deal with them all but they would be criticized even more if they didn't go after the smaller issues too.

I don't think they will ever reach the time when they can tell us what to eat or do in our own homes! If that time ever comes, I believe the govt would lose because here in America the people would DEMAND to be heard!

Don't they have salads, grilled chicken, and apple slices at McDonald's?? Why not choose those choices?

I guess I can just see both sides of the fence. I understand why trans fats need to be taken away but then on the other side I see why we also need our freedom to choose what we want to eat, healthy or not.

I mean, I eat healthy but I do like BC made with shortening. It's my favorite to decorate with. I havn't tried the non trans fat version of shortening so I couldn't tell you if it tastes the same or decorates the same but if it does, I'd probably use it instead. If it doesn't, then I'd probably stick with the trans fat. lol I don't eat cake everyday but when I do I want it to taste good! I think that's reasonable. lol

As far as salads, grilled chicken and apple slices at McD's go...I love salads, grilled chicken and apples but McD's does not keep the salads or apples fresh therefore, they taste horrible and I don't touch them but then if I had to eat at a fast food place everyday like some people do I probably would try to choke it down. lol

I do think fast food places need to offer more healthy foods though. No one wants to have to eat the same food everyday.

Fast food is not fast. In the time it takes you to drive thru and get your meal you can whip up a bowl of oatmeal or cream of wheat, you can even cook eggs, make french toast there are lots of options. People got to fast food places 'cause they don't want to cook. Exercise and moderation in what you eat is the answer not more laws!

Anything in moderation. Fast food wasn't made to be eaten 3 times a day 7 days a week.

How about the hormones they're pumping our meat full of (and wondering why our young ladies have breasts and periods at 10 years of age) and Mercury in vaccinations (and ADD, ADHD and Autism). There are many more important issues out there to consider!

Debbie

Well, I do agree that exercise and moderation would solve the problem all together but unfortunately people are not going to do that so the govt feels they need to step in. I don't want them trying to tell me what I can eat either but I do understand what they are trying to do.

I imagine that there are people out there that don't have the time or means to run home at lunch and cook something. Some places don't even allow you to bring food inside of the building. In those cases you don't have many options but eating out. I guess you could always bring a cooler with food in it and keep it in your vehicle but then if you live in NY City, there's a good chance you don't have a vehicle either. lol

Here, fast food is fast food. I can go through the drive thru in 5 minutes most of the time. Rush hour and lunch may take 10 minutes sometimes.

I guess it really just depend on your circumstances but the biggest point is that when you say exercise and moderation is the key...that is right on! It would solve the problem all together!

I just want my "KING SIZED" double cheese bacon burger, fries and milk shake and to be able to eat them in peace! lol

RisqueBusiness, lol, that does sound really yummy right now!

I eat bacon every day, the thick kind..and a Bacon/Mushroom burger at Red Robin..

I am underweight, my cholesterol is very low...

So I must be doing something right ? OH! wait a minute , maybe I'm wrong ? should I worry ? Maybe it's those Victoria Secret OR Super models who are complaining ? they're all in New York !! Being skinny and anorexic is in their job discription.