Senator Eliot Shapleigh - El Paso, Texas

AUSTIN — Restaurants around the state may have to tinker with their recipes as state lawmakers consider severely limiting the use of trans fat.

State Rep. Carol Alvarado of Houston and Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso, both Democrats, promoted legislation Monday that would ban artificial trans fats in all Texas restaurants and require that all prepared and served food items contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.

It’s one of two high profile changes the Legislature is considering regarding restaurants. The other is a statewide smoking ban. While various restaurant owners and patrons are opposed to a statewide smoking ban, switching to trans fat-free oils appears likely to face less resistance.

None of the 5,000 or so members of the Texas Restaurant Association has signaled any opposition to the proposed trans fat legislation, spokesman Glen Garey said. That’s partly because of the way the switch would be phased in. Chain restaurants with 15 or more locations would have to be in compliance by Sept. 1, 2010, Alvarado said.

All other restaurants would have until Sept. 1, 2011.

Trans fats are considered harmful because they limit the body’s ability to regulate cholesterol.

California has passed such a ban, as have several cities including New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

"The science demonstrates there is a reduction in cardiovascular disease as a result of these kind of efforts going into effect," said Joel Romo, an Austin-based spokesman for the American Heart Association.

Most major fast-food chains have made the switch in recent years for most or all of their menus. Customers of Taco Bell, KFC, Jason’s Deli and Dunkin’ Donuts have already learned to enjoy their favorite fare without artery-clogging trans fat.

Locally, numerous restaurants have made the switch to trans fat-free oil, including Paris Coffee Shop and Kincaid’s on Camp Bowie Boulevard.

At a news conference Monday, Alvarado and Shapleigh said the switch to trans fat-free oils would not cost restaurants more money or change the taste of their products.

But John Whitten, owner of Caro’s Mexican Food on Bluebonnet Circle in Fort Worth, said switching his menu to trans fat-free last year changed cost and taste.

"It’s a little more expensive, but I feel like it produces a better product" Whitten said. "The tostados are cleaner looking. They don’t look as greasy when it comes out."

Some restaurants say they haven’t switched oils because they haven’t heard any concern about trans fat from customers.

A spokeswoman at Joe T. Garcia’s couldn’t say whether any items on the menu included trans fat because no one had ever asked before.

Some of the items on the menu at soul food restaurant Buttons in Fort Worth have some trans fat, but the amounts are small enough that switching wouldn’t be a problem, general manager Curt Voirin said.

"For the most part, these substitutes do a pretty good job," Voirin said. "There’s no doubt it may change the flavor profile in some things. That’s the reality."

Bill watch Bills: HB 1523 and SB 204

Description: The House bill would restrict artificial trans fats in all Texas restaurants. The Senate bill would require that all prepared and served food items contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.