Illinois schools may cancel trans fats from cafeteria

Appeared February 8, 2011 in Illinois Statehouse News

By Diane S.W. Lee SPRINGFIELD — Hold the french fries. Cancel the pizza. Skip the corn dog.
New legislation introduced in the state House proposes to ban vegetable oils and foods with trans fat from being served in public schools beginning in July 2016-17.

House Bill 137 sponsored by state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, would require the Illinois State Board of Education to adopt rules requiring public schools to “provide healthy menu options.”

“Childhood obesity is always an issue in Illinois and across the country,” Ford said. “And if we can just look at ways to eliminate some of the reasons that childhood obesity is out of control — we should, and this is one of the ways.”

Trans fat is found in vegetable shortenings, some margarine, fried foods, snacks and baked goods, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Trans fat raises bad cholesterol, increasing risks of coronary heart disease, according to FDA.

The legislation would require public schools statewide to eliminate trans fat from foods sold at cafeterias and vending machines. Similar legislation was introduced in the past, but failed to garner enough support from lawmakers. Ford said support from the American Heart Association gives the legislation a better chance at passing.

But the switch might mean higher costs for school districts.“It is just another regulation, potentially, (that) can be put in place without regard to costs,” said Virgil Moore, superintendent of East Alton School District.

At East Alton Middle School on Wednesday, lunch included spaghetti and meat sauce, cheese sticks, wise fries, green beans and spice cake. Menu planning is already tough for the district, Moore said.

“All of our food choices are run through computer programs, so that we try to get a good healthy balance,” Moore said. “And when you have to limit a food just because it has trans fats, you also limit the other benefits that come with it.”

Danville School District’s lunch menu on Wednesday included corn dog, hash browns, western baked beans, vegetable and apple slices. The school has tried to offer healthier options, like turkey hot dogs and reduced fat cheese pizza, officials said.“We have a buffet line, and we have a home-cooked meal once a week, and on the other days we have the favorite foods that we know children like,” said Brenda Demos, the district’s food service director. “But we also try to write specifications for our vendors to get healthier foods.”

But schools are at the “mercy of food manufacturers,” which should offer items at a reasonable cost, Demos said.

“The bottom line is we do want to do what is best for children, and we just want to make sure that we can afford to do what‘s best for children,” Demos said.

Schools shouldn’t feed children trans fats, according to Ford, who described the fats as “chemicals that are poisonous.”“I think that they should have a choice of good foods,” the delegate said. “And McDonald’s has eliminated trans fats. And so if McDonald’s can do it, and you heard no complaints from parents, then I think that the state can do it also in our schools.”

Susan Harkin, chief financial officer of Crystal Lake Elementary School District, said that lawmakers’ intentions are usually good. However, Harkin said she has an issue with “unfunded mandates.”“Everybody expects school districts to do more, and yet, don’t want to fund what that more is,” Harkin said.