Press Release | Consumer Group to NYC Bureaucrats: “Focus on Real Food Safety Issues”

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Home / Press Center / Press Releases Posted On September 26, 2006
Consumer Group to NYC Bureaucrats: “Focus on Real Food Safety Issues” Government Mandates Will Not Shrink Any Big Butts In The Big Apple Washington, DC – Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) scoffed at the New York City Board of Health’s proposal to ban trans fat from all of the city’s food service outlets, and its intention to mandate that restaurants list calories on their menu boards. “Beware of hysteria, New Yorkers,” said CCF Executive Director Richard Berman. “Margarine and trans fats are not food safety issues. E. coli in spinach is a food safety issue.” Berman continued: “Trans fats are simply the latest in trendy food panic. Right now the restaurant and food industries are moving away from these partially hydrogenated oils and seeking healthier alternatives as new science emerges and as the public demands it. The market will take care of banning trans fats; we don’t need government to do it. “Posting calorie information on menu boards will not make New Yorkers healthier. Give consumers some credit. They already know the difference between a banana and a banana split, or a milkshake and a diet soda. There is no shortage of information, just a deficit of common sense from the government bureaucrats.” Richard Berman is available for interviews on the New York City Board of Health proposals. The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices. For media comment, contact our media department at 202-463-7112 ext. 115	Hey New York: Here's What's Next Now that New York has banned cooking oils with trans fat because there are healthier alternatives, it opens the door to banning so much more! click to view » Food police smashing your choices? Everywhere you turn, someone’s telling us what we can’t eat. It’s getting harder just to enjoy a beer on a night out. Do you always feel like you are being told what to do? Find out who is driving the Food Police at ConsumerFreedom.com click to view » ‘Prevention’ at the New CDC: How Far Is Too Far? Do Americans really share Frieden's ambition to prevent every disease at any cost? The doc's killjoy reputation strongly suggests that the answer is "no." read more here » BMI 'report cards' won't keep kids healthy In the campaign to eradicate childhood obesity, schools around the country have banned everything from birthday treats to vending machines. But when it comes to slimming down students, the so-called food police aren't making much progress. read more here » Nanny-state stance seen in health chief It is unfortunate that President Obama has chosen to put the nation's health in the hands of an overzealous activist who doesn't seem to give any consideration to the importance of personal responsibility or privacy. read more here » Frieden's views on health responsibility It is unfortunate that President Obama chose to put the nation's health in the hands of an overzealous activist who doesn't give any consideration to the importance of personal responsibility or privacy. read more here » Banning food The real lesson in Chicago's ill-fated foie gras ban has something to do with forbidden fruit. Or maybe forbidden duck liver. read more here »