April 17, 2007

Suozzi Calls for Menu Calorie Counts and for Ban on Trans Fats in Restaurant Meals

--‘Healthy Nassau’ Initiative to Combat Obesity & Improve Heart Health; Cardiovascular Disease is County’s Biggest Killer

Mineola, N.Y. - As part of his on-going “Healthy Nassau” campaign, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi called on the Nassau County Board of Health to implement a ban on trans-fats served in restaurants, and to require calorie counts on menus.

“This is a one-two punch in our fight for a healthier Nassau,” Suozzi said. “First, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Nassau County, and study after study has shown a strong link between trans fat intake and the risk of coronary artery disease.

“Second, research shows that obesity is linked to frequent restaurant meals - since calories aren’t listed on most menus, people have no idea how many calories they’re consuming,” Suozzi said. “For instance, did you know that just one slice of carrot cake at a leading restaurant chain has 1,560 calories? That’s three-quarters of an entire day’s recommended calorie intake.”

Indeed, studies show that consumers substantially underestimate the levels of calories, fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in less healthful menu items. One study showed that even well-trained nutritionists often underestimate the calorie-count of typical restaurant meals.

Some 75% of adults say they use nutrition labels on packaged foods, and using these labels is associated with more healthful eating. If restaurant patrons were armed with similar nutritional information, they would be more likely to make healthier choices, studies found.

Menu calorie-counts are more important than ever, because people are eating out more than ever. In 1970, Americans spent 26% of their food dollars on restaurant meals. Today, we spend 46% of our food dollars at restaurants. Meanwhile, obesity rates in adults and children have doubled - and have tripled for teens - over the past 20 years.

While menu calorie counts combat obesity, banning trans fats will make our hearts more healthy. Unlike other fats, trans fats are neither required nor beneficial for health. And many studies have shown that eating trans fat increases the risk of coronary heart disease. That’s why health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. And trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils - which are the main source of trans fats in today’s diet - are generally considered to be more of a health risk than those occurring naturally from some meat and dairy products.

“I know the Board of Health will give fair consideration to any concerns restaurant owners may have about how to best implement the changes that will ultimately protect and improve public health,” Suozzi said. “The unhealthy food served in some restaurants is a significant - and preventable - health risk to Nassau County residents. I want to do everything I can to minimize that risk.”

Nutrition advocates saluted Suozzi’s move.

“We congratulate Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi for helping people make healthier food choices when eating out,” said Margo G. Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.“Eating out just a few times a week can blow your diet not just for the day, but for the whole week.Studies show that people who eat out more than five times a week eat 300 more calories on average per day than people who eat out less often.And, too many restaurant foods are loaded with trans fat.”

Healthy Nassau, Suozzi’s campaign to make Nassau the healthiest county in the nation, builds upon existing initiatives and adds new ones in order to sustain a healthy environment (focusing on air, land and water), while encouraging healthy living (tending to bodies, minds and spirits). Along with the push to ban trans fats and put calorie counts on menus, Healthy Nassau initiatives include: working with other large municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore mass transit options; continuing to preserve the County’s remaining open space; operating an organic farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, and seeking a state-authorized increased cigarette tax to discourage smoking.