Winnipeg MP Pat Martin yesterday took a legislative step towards banning the use of trans fats in processed foods. In a private member's bill he introduced, the NDP member of Parliament is calling on the Liberal government to adopt rules similar to those used in Denmark to eliminate trans fats. The fats are believed to be forcing up Canada's rates of obesity, diabetes and heart diseases. "Trans fats are the single most important public-health issue that we can address with no financial cost to Canadians," Martin said in the Commons. "It's incredible that this government is doing so little to proactively protect Canadians' health." Trans fats, or trans fatty acids, occur naturally in only a few foods. Most are produced in labs by adding hydrogen to fats to increase their shelf life and make them less fluid. Health Minister Pierre Pettigrew isn't saying if he will support Martin's bill, but a spokesman said Pettigrew is glad the issue is being raised. "It certainly raises the profile of trans fats and we welcome that," said Sebastien Theberge, referring to Martin's bill. Traditionally, private member's bills have little chance of success, but Prime Minister Paul Martin has promised to give MPs more influence. Pettigrew said the government is already taking the issue seriously. "The new nutrition labelling regulations will indeed require the declaration of trans fats contents on the labels of most prepackaged food by December 12, 2005," he said. "We expect that it will act as strong incentive to the food industry to reduce or eliminate trans fats from their food. The industry is already moving in that direction. We expect the mandatory labelling of trans fats will assist consumers in making healthy food choices." Martin said an on-line petition and mail-back card campaign he launched, asking members of the public if they agree with a ban on trans fats, is building momentum. "We now know that trans fatty acids are really bad for us, and especially bad for our children," he said. "Yet, instead of banning trans fats, as other countries have, the Liberal government says it is OK to put this poison in this food as long as it is properly labelled, even then only three years from now, and even then, unbelievably, baby food is exempt." Also yesterday, Liberal MP Tom Wappel introduced a bill that would require fast-food outlets to post the number of calories in menu items beside the corresponding price on menu boards. Restaurants with hand-out menus would also have to state the amounts of trans fat and sodium per serving. The bill would apply only to chains with sales of more than $10 million annually.
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