State Lawmakers Zero in on Transfats

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - Illinois moved closer to becoming the second state to ban artificial transfats in restaurants. By a 73-43 vote, the House passed a bill that would ban such products from private food-service businesses and school vending machines, starting in 2013.

The bill now moves to the Senate, which like the House is controlled by Democrats. California is the only state to pass such a ban.

Transfat is found in shortening, margarine, crackers, salad dressings, frying oil and many other processed foods. It extends the shelf life of foods, but the resulting transfat has emerged in recent years as a major factor in high cholesterol, heart attacks and other health problems.

The bill would not apply to bakeries and schools, due to financial restraints faced by many of the state's school districts. Movie theaters, sit-down restaurants and fast food chains figure to be the most affected.

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