2 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 8 Number 3


November 2013


Public Has Mixed View on Banning Trans Fats


BY MICHAEL DIMOCK The Food and Drug Administra-


tion’s new proposal to severely restrict trans fats in the U.S. food supply raises questions about the role the government should play in addressing broad public health concerns. A new Pew Research Center survey suggests that the public is divided over this kind of policy.


The nationwide survey by the The Best Bankers. Hometown Banking. townebank.com TowneBank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 12337.5_SBLF_HR Messenger_v2_5x8.indd 1 4/3/13 2:23 PM


Pew Research Center, conducted Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 2013 among 996 adults nationwide, finds 44% in favor of prohibiting restaurants from using trans fats in foods, while 52% oppose the idea. While this is not the sweeping policy proposed by the FDA today, a number of cities have put such restrictions in place. This question is part of a Pew Research Center survey on how Americans view public health and obesity that will be released early next week.


Not surprisingly, opposition to government bans of trans fats


in restaurants is highest among Republicans, particularly those who identify with the Tea Party. Republicans oppose prohibiting restaurants from using trans fats by a 60% to 35% margin, and that margin rises to 74% vs. 23% among Republicans and Republican leaners who agree with the Tea Party.


TRANS FATS PAGE 12


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