I never realized that food could cause so much drama. While the government is trying to do the right thing, the bottom line is that it is a person's choice. If a person wants to eat french fries seven days a week, who is to stop them? Honestly, there are so many much more important issues in today's country that what people are putting in their mouths shouldn't be a top priority. Also, if food starts to become regulated, what's next? Our clothes? What school we attend? Who we marry? The government trying to regulate trans fat is not only crossing a distinct line, it is somewhat of an insult. Does the government think that American people can't choose for themselves, or that we've become so lazy as a society they must do everything for us?
Basically, the government has no right to justify something as simple as food and trans fat. Concentrate on more useful topics, and be less worried about what Americans are putting into their mouths.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Just the Facts
1. 30-60% of restaurants would need to change habits but will be impossible to do without changing the taste or raising costs
2. Development for trans-fat-free recipes takes lost of testing and years to form a suitable recipe.
3. FDA already has a broad impact on the processed food sold in supermarkets
4. Trans fat has only had life threatening effects on people who consumed excessive amounts
5. Many studies have been done with subjects who consume much greater amounts of trans fat than a normal person; no studies have been done on a person who consumes the average intake.
6. Supplies are becoming increasingly harder to get and more expensive.
7. The current intake of trans fat is only 1.5-2% (down from a previous 4.6%)
8. Gain from reduced intake may not be so great as some might hope
9. Much of the responsibility has to be on the person. Restaurants cannot take the blame for the obesity epidemic. Ultimately, each person decides what he/she eats, and how often and how much.
10. People eat more saturated fat (13%) than trans fat (2.6%)
2. Development for trans-fat-free recipes takes lost of testing and years to form a suitable recipe.
3. FDA already has a broad impact on the processed food sold in supermarkets
4. Trans fat has only had life threatening effects on people who consumed excessive amounts
5. Many studies have been done with subjects who consume much greater amounts of trans fat than a normal person; no studies have been done on a person who consumes the average intake.
6. Supplies are becoming increasingly harder to get and more expensive.
7. The current intake of trans fat is only 1.5-2% (down from a previous 4.6%)
8. Gain from reduced intake may not be so great as some might hope
9. Much of the responsibility has to be on the person. Restaurants cannot take the blame for the obesity epidemic. Ultimately, each person decides what he/she eats, and how often and how much.
10. People eat more saturated fat (13%) than trans fat (2.6%)
What the Experts Say
"If they want to have herb-baked chicken five days a week and then fried chicken on Sunday as a treat, I don't think you should write anybody a ticket. That's called a choice."
---Dolores Reynolds, owner of Amy &Lou's (Chicago)
"Every mandate and every penny is a hardship on a restaurant. The restaurants change to their customers' needs and wants, and we don't need the government coming in and tell us what to do."
---Rich Stytzer, president of Westchester/Rockwood Chapter of NY State Restaurant Association
"The problem with this law, we're not scientists- butter tastes good. There's no doubt about it, but some cookies become hard when you use only butter, and they don't have a long shelf life."
---Joe Bianchi, owner of Polzo Pastry Shop
"Taste is the No. 1 driver of people buying food. If they bring something home and their kids won't eat is, it doesn't matter how healthy it is, they're not going to buy it again."
---Verdurin
"The sad reality is there will be restaurants that will be hurt: you mom and pop restaurants and your extreme restaurants. A lot of them cannot afford other types of oils."
---Colleen McShane, president of Illinois Restaurant Association
---Dolores Reynolds, owner of Amy &Lou's (Chicago)
"Every mandate and every penny is a hardship on a restaurant. The restaurants change to their customers' needs and wants, and we don't need the government coming in and tell us what to do."
---Rich Stytzer, president of Westchester/Rockwood Chapter of NY State Restaurant Association
"The problem with this law, we're not scientists- butter tastes good. There's no doubt about it, but some cookies become hard when you use only butter, and they don't have a long shelf life."
---Joe Bianchi, owner of Polzo Pastry Shop
"Taste is the No. 1 driver of people buying food. If they bring something home and their kids won't eat is, it doesn't matter how healthy it is, they're not going to buy it again."
---Verdurin
"The sad reality is there will be restaurants that will be hurt: you mom and pop restaurants and your extreme restaurants. A lot of them cannot afford other types of oils."
---Colleen McShane, president of Illinois Restaurant Association
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Second Strongest Argument
My second strongest argument is that it all comes down to choice. People should have right to choose what they want to eat. People have freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms- yet the government is trying to take away their choice of foods? The government claims that they 'regulate' and 'monitor' alcohol- yet the United States has the highest percentage of alcohol abuse in the world. If a person wants to eat healthy five or six days a week and then once or twice have a special treat, what's the harm? Many people don't want to be told what to eat. As simplistic as it sounds, people value their freedom of choice. There are much important issue at hand, that the government should be much more concerned with soldiers at war or the economy than what people are putting into their mouths.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Strongest Argument
While regulated trans fat sounds like a good idea, the actual execution isn't as wonderful as it sounds. For that reason, I have decided to take the con side on this issue.
My strongest argument is that restaurants would be greatly effected in a negative way. Trans fat is not only used to fry foods, but it is also used to make food last longer and physically hold food together (texture).
Most restaurants would have to switch to alternative oils, which are not as effective and are much more expensive. Not only would this raise costs, it would force restaurants to raise their prices significantly. A single restaurant would have to increase its costs by as much as $50,000. Most restaurants cannot afford this and many would go out of business as a result.
It is also not as easy to eliminate trans fat as it sounds. Companies that have also switched over to trans-fat-free oils took three years to develop, and many are in debt because of it.
My strongest argument is that restaurants would be greatly effected in a negative way. Trans fat is not only used to fry foods, but it is also used to make food last longer and physically hold food together (texture).
Most restaurants would have to switch to alternative oils, which are not as effective and are much more expensive. Not only would this raise costs, it would force restaurants to raise their prices significantly. A single restaurant would have to increase its costs by as much as $50,000. Most restaurants cannot afford this and many would go out of business as a result.
It is also not as easy to eliminate trans fat as it sounds. Companies that have also switched over to trans-fat-free oils took three years to develop, and many are in debt because of it.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Pro vs. Con
The controversy of government controlled trans fat in restaurants has sparked debate not only among restaurant owners but ordinary citizens as well.
Supporter of the trans fat regulation argue that it will lead to healthier lives and be very beneficial. They believe that the obesity epidemic in the United States has gotten out of control and this is the first step to controlling it. Science and statistics have shown that the new trans fat regulation will prevent heart disease and prevent the number of heart attacks and deaths each year.
Opponents of the regulation argue that the government does not have the right to control what people eat. Restaurants will have to switch to different types of oil, which for the most part are more expensive. This would cause them to raise their prices for their services as well as their products. Other studies show that the trans fat regulation will really have no effect on the population, as it would not prevent heart attacks or disease as people would continue to eat what they want no matter what the government says.
Supporter of the trans fat regulation argue that it will lead to healthier lives and be very beneficial. They believe that the obesity epidemic in the United States has gotten out of control and this is the first step to controlling it. Science and statistics have shown that the new trans fat regulation will prevent heart disease and prevent the number of heart attacks and deaths each year.
Opponents of the regulation argue that the government does not have the right to control what people eat. Restaurants will have to switch to different types of oil, which for the most part are more expensive. This would cause them to raise their prices for their services as well as their products. Other studies show that the trans fat regulation will really have no effect on the population, as it would not prevent heart attacks or disease as people would continue to eat what they want no matter what the government says.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Overview
Obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed in the past decade or so. With the popularity of the fast food industry, Americans are becoming lazy and are neglecting to recognize the consequences of the food they consume. Fast food does not have the reputation of being healthy. In fact, fast food restaurants are known for their crispy french fries, greasy cheeseburgers, and enormous proportions.
In order to control the dangerously increasing obesity rates, local and state governments across the United States have begun to regulate the ingredients used in restaurants, schools, and other establishments. By eliminating the use of trans fat in cooking, the hope is that not only will people recognize what they are eating, but will be beneficial to their health as well.
But does the government have the right to do this, or is it just going too far? Can the government really regulate how people cook and eat, or should people be allowed to eat what they want? Exactly how much can the government control before a line is crossed?
In order to control the dangerously increasing obesity rates, local and state governments across the United States have begun to regulate the ingredients used in restaurants, schools, and other establishments. By eliminating the use of trans fat in cooking, the hope is that not only will people recognize what they are eating, but will be beneficial to their health as well.
But does the government have the right to do this, or is it just going too far? Can the government really regulate how people cook and eat, or should people be allowed to eat what they want? Exactly how much can the government control before a line is crossed?
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