The proposal to ban the substance received a unanimous vote of support from council members Thursday. The agreement gives restaurants six months to eliminate all traces of trans fat from their foods. Other locations, such as hospitals, schools, and eateries are given a month to rid their products of the substance.
"There are no health benefits and no level of consumption of artificial trans fat that is considered safe," said Dr. Paula Johnson, the head of the Public Health Commission Board. "Many restaurants and businesses have already recognized that and have banned trans fat."
According to the Boston Herald, the bill was put through a review for three months, garnering 90 comments, with only three expressing opposition for the ban. The most recent hearing, however was what gave the proposal the unanimous approval.
The proposal received the full support of Joan Salge Blake, a nutrition professor from Boston University.
"Anything that will help the consumer make healthier choices when they dine out is a good thing," Blake said, as quoted by Boston Now.
Officials acknowledged that the ban would have the greatest effects on restaurants and other eateries that feature a large amount of fried food.
The proposal would result in inspections of restaurants to ensure their compliance to the ban.
Any restaurant found not in compliance would be fined $1,000 for each violation.
The ban places Boston in the same campaign as New York City and Brookline, which have also announced bans on trans fat.
