The first Low Trans Fat Awards had 12 Madison restaurants receiving the title of gold winners for being free of trans fat, with 3 more snagging the silver awards for having a low trans fat menu.This new award system allows diners to know which restaurants they dine in have little or no trans fat in the menu. This voluntary system was created by a local health advocacy organization, Informed Consumers Equal Improved Health, with the mission of encouraging restaurants to lessen the levels of articificial trans fat that may be found in their products.
In order to qualify as a restaurant that is low in trans fat, cooking must not be done with margarine containing partically hydrogenated vegetable oil. Fewer than 4 ingredients containing the oil must be used within the restaurant as well. Restaurants such as Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Steak Escape, and Weary Traveler illustrate that all kinds of establishments may have low or no trans fat ambitions.
Trans fats have been linked to heart disease, and are found in partically hydrogenated vegetable oil. Products that are generally full of this are cookies, doughnuts, margarine, and french fries. Most of the restaurants have switched to a trans fat free fat like palm oil, which is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins. THE END.