(WHAS11) - It's a battle brewing between Jefferson County and some businesses and it could affect what goes into the food you eat.
The Metro Health Department laid out part of a plan Tuesday that could lead to a new city ban.
“The trans fat ban is something to me that is just ridiculous.”
Banning trans fat it's something the Louisville Health Department may recommend to Metro Council.
We need to look at this issue and reduce the effect of trans fat on our population.
Trans fats, like partially hydrogenated oils, help food last longer.
Health officials say if everyone in Louisville cut them out of their diet, nearly 600 lives a year would be saved.
Some cities, including New York, are enforcing a trans fat ban.
“The science suggests some several thousand decrease in heart attacks by going trans fat free and that's the evidence we are using here in metro Louisville.
Not so fast say some local businesses like Nord's Bakery.
The owner points out they moved to trans fats because health officials said saturated fats were dangerous.
“A lot of the bakeries have gone back to using lard and butter, the other alternatives cost more and don't work as well, so the products that we have would be more expensive and the taste would be changed somewhat.”
It's a major issue for local restaurants.
“I would agree that they are bad. I don't eat them, I stay away from them.”
At Tuesday’s forum, the CEO of Kingfish Restaurant said they choose to be trans fat free and that it should be their choice not the law.
“I think it's not a place for local governments to step in. I don't want them to set a precedent of regulating food,” said Kingfish’s CEO.
At Nord’s, they say their customers are smart enough to know what they're getting and they have no problem disclosing what's in the food.
“We're selling cookies, cakes, donuts, if they come in and they think they're getting a health food product, they need to get something else checked. They know when they're coming in that moderation is the key.”
A ban may not be the only option, the health department may recommend signs that list whether trans fat is in the food or ask restaurants for a voluntary ban.
The health department is having another forum Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 400 East Gray Street.
Metro Council members say they could vote on whatever's recommended by early December.
