On Feb. 9, it seemed like the debate would be over.
That's when City Council took the logical step of banning trans-fat-based frying oils in restaurants, with a full ban of trans fats to go into effect on Sept. 8, 2008.
A number of groups lauded the decision, pointing to a similar ban in New York City and arguing that the health benefits it would provide for area restaurants would greatly outweigh any downsides.
But one councilwoman seems to think that one downside is important enough to reopen discussion: the plight of local bakeries.
After all, Joan Krajewski notes in a recent bill submitted to the Council, the trans-fat ban won't apply to the national brands like Entemann's that stock local supermarkets and convenience stores with various sorts of baked goods.
Krajewski believes that this exemption isn't fair to local bakeries that will have to eschew trans fats once next September rolls around.
Maybe it's not. But to think that products such as Tastykakes compete with warm baked goods coming out of the nearby cornerstore is misguided.
Any negative effects on these businesses would probably be negligible, and Councilman Juan Ramos, the sponsor of the original bill, told KYW Newsradio that trans-fat free cakes will taste just as good.
And those negative effects, if any, certainly are no reason to continue to jeopardize the health of Philadelphia citizens by attempting to modify a well-meaning and likely beneficial bill.
Furthermore, this continued haranguing over what should be a settled issue speaks to the problem of irrelevant and unnecessary bills submitted to City Council, like a recent one that declared Philadelphia a "pro-choice" city.
The legislature needs to spend more time dealing with real problems and less time handwringing over the future of freshly made cinnamon buns.
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