Local diets will be nearly trans fat-free by July 2009, the Calgary Health Region confirmed yesterday.
The region's board unanimously endorsed a plan that, according to its medical officer of health, Dr. Brent Friesen, will put the city in the national lead when food service providers cut the use of trans fats in their oils, spreads and shortenings to 2% of total fats on Jan. 1, 2008.
"It's my understanding we're the first jurisdiction in Canada with the policy we're implementing,"said Friesen.