Gillibrand pressing for ban on trans fat

WASHINGTON — Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand is pushing for Congress to ban trans fat in the federal school meal program. But if that does not happen — as appears quite possible — she is putting renewed pressure on the Obama administration to do so on its own.

Mrs. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday, urging the USDA to take artificial trans fat out of public schools through a rulemaking procedure that is already under way at the department.

"Currently, there are no trans-fat guidelines or requirements for the school meal programs, and this is harming our children's health," Mrs. Gillibrand wrote. "Many schools still serve foods containing artificially created trans fats, an artery clogging product originally used to extend the shelf life of food, provide texture and decrease cost."

Food scientists blame trans fat for contributing to the climbing child obesity rate and increasing the risk of heart disease, and the national Institute of Medicine has recommended the removal of artificial trans fat from food served in schools.

Some natural trans fat occurs in dairy products and other foods, and Mrs. Gillibrand said that leaves no room for the artificial types that companies add to some products.

The Senate may take up the renewal of child nutrition programs this month.

Mrs. Gillibrand is following in the footsteps of New York City, where officials have banned trans fat in school meals and in restaurants. But she has encountered political headwinds in Washington, where her initiative fell flat in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

There, committee Chairwoman Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., said decisions about trans fat should be left to the USDA.

The department is developing a proposal for school foods based upon recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, but a spokesman had no information Monday on the department's leanings regarding trans fat. Mr. Vilsack has been outspoken, however, about reducing childhood obesity, and the department has had a program in place since 2004 to recognize schools that promote better nutrition, including lowering intake of sugar, sodium and trans fat.

Makers of some food offered in schools have opposed a ban, either from Congress or from the USDA. The Snack Food Association, representing companies that make food sold in school stores and vending machines, believes such decisions should be left to the secretary of agriculture, based on "the best science" about the effect of trans fat, said James A. McCarthy, the association's president and chief executive officer.

"I think an overall ban would be a little bit much," Mr. McCarthy said. He said his group supports labeling requirements to disclose that foods contain trans fat.

Mr. McCarthy said most companies have stopped using trans fat voluntarily or are actively seeking other ingredients to replace them, although some have stuck by them because they believe the taste of their product would be compromised without trans fat.