Colorado trans fat ban, ischool vending machine trans fat ban, vending machine, healthy vending, vending, vending trends, Colorado SB68, Tom Massey, Lucia Guzman
DENVER -- A Colorado Senate committee approved a bill to ban trans fat in the state's school vending machines and cafeterias, but revised the original sweeping proposal to be less restrictive.
The lawmakers exempted more than half of the state's school districts by adding an amendment that would not cover districts with fewer than 1,000 students. The senators also removed fundraisers, including bake sales and sporting event concessions, from the trans fat ban. Finally, they gave schools an extra year, until 2013, to comply.
The bill (SB68) is sponsored by House Education Chairman Tom Massey (R-Poncha Springs) and Sen. Lucia Guzman (D-Denver). It still faces a vote in the full Senate before heading to the House.
Trans fat, created by hydrogenating oil, has emerged in recent years as a prime suspect in high cholesterol, heart attacks and other health problems.
