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Business & Tech

New Laws Require Suffolk Eateries to Disclose Caloric Content and Remove Artificial Trans Fat

Most Sachem eateries have already moved past artificial trans fats.

Two new laws aimed at helping restaurant patrons count calories and avoid harmful artificial trans fat have gone into effect across Suffolk County. The legislation, which was drafted and supported by Leg. Lou D'Amaro (D-Huntington Station), went live in late October.

Suffolk County, which boasted a rate of 57 percent of adults who are either overweight or obese, according to the 2007 census, has begun to aggressively attack the obesity epidemic.

The first portion of legislation requires all major chain restaurants such as Burger King, Applebee's and Ruby Tuesday to post the caloric content of their food on any and all menus.

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One manager of a prominent chain who wished for both himself and his employer to remain anonymous explained that, "the county gave us plenty of time to prepare for this change, and we are happy to provide our patrons with full disclosure of the caloric content of our food. If a customer is not satisfied with the numbers that correspond to his or her favorite meal, we offer plenty of customization options along with an additional delicious low-fat, low-calorie menu."

Smaller businesses that have fewer than 15 locations nationwide are not required to disclose the caloric content of their food, but under the second portion of legislation they are required to remove all artificial trans fats.

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Phil D'Onofrio, manager of Joe's Pizza in Holbrook, a Sachem staple for over 25 years, said that the new law doesn't affect the pizzeria in any way, and also doesn't expect it to affect many other locations.

"We're trans fat free here at Joe's," he explained, adding that artificial trans fat in restaurant cooking "hasn't been prominent for two years now."

Many local eatery owners pointed to bakeries as the type of business most likely affected by the artificial trans fat ban (besides the major chains) as the substances used to create the "richness" of foods like cakes, pastries and pies are usually jam-packed with trans fat. One local bakery owner who wished to remain anonymous said that the impact of the legislation was minor, requiring only one product not regularly used in baking to be replaced with an option that does not contain artificial trans fat.

Hungry customers are encouraged to question business owners regarding their compliance with the new law. While it certainly seems as if artificial trans fats are already a thing of the past, the potential always exists for eateries to be behind the times with updating their food for a healthier future.

If you discover a location that is not following the caloric disclosure or artificial trans fat laws, please contact the Suffolk County Bureau of Public Health at (631) 852-5999.

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