Trans-Fat Report Expected In January

After months of study and a slight delay, the Louisville Metro Board of Health's recommendation on a trans-fat ban is expected next month.Artificial trans-fat is added to some foods to extend shelf life but has been linked to heart disease and other health problems. The Metro Council asked the Board of Health to gauge public and professional opinion on trans-fat and suggest a way to curb its negative health effects in Louisville."Bar none, everyone is in agreement that trans-fats is a problem when it comes to the health of the community. It seems to be a question of which is the best way for us to go to resolve the problem," says Public Health Director Adewale Troutman says . He adds that there are three options the Board could recommend. "A public education campaign alone; public education plus a voluntary ban, and then public education plus a mandated ban—an ordinance of some kind."The board's recommendation was expected before Christmas, but the city's H1N1 vaccination program delayed the report. Dr. Troutman says he expects to present the board's findings to the Metro Council in mid-January. The council will then discuss the recommendation and take action.