Ottawa trans fat ban fizzles

The serving of food containing trans fats will remain legal in Ottawa for at least the near future.

Ottawa city council voted 12-8 against a motion Wednesday that would have phased out the fats from the city's restaurants.

The greasy ingredients found in many processed foods are blamed for clogging arteries and causing heart disease.

Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, who represents West Carleton ward, vocally opposed Bay Ward Coun. Alex Cullen's proposal for a ban.

"We've taken on trying to do other levels of governments' work and then we don't have the funds," he said, adding that the city doesn't have the staff to enforce all its bylaws.

He said the idea was misdirected, and compared itwith other failed bans on perfumes in the workplace and cosmetic pesticides.

"Just tell the people, educate them, and people will choose what to go for and what not to go for," he said.

Trans fats are already banned in New York restaurants and are to be banned from restaurants in Calgary by 2008. Toronto is looking into a similar ban.