A ban on trans fat at restaurants highlights a host of new state laws ringing in 2010. County health inspectors started enforcing the ban Jan. 1 on the artificial fats deemed harmful to the body — particularly at fast-food restaurants. “This law is all about public health. Hopefully people can make good decisions to lead a happy and healthy life,” said Ric Encarnacion, environmental health specialist for San Diego County. Effective Jan. 1, food establishments cannot use oils, margarines, shortenings or serve foods that contain trans fat, with the exception of deep-fried donuts. On Jan. 1, 2011, the ban will expand to include all foods. “When there is no way to make a decision because the food is presented on a plate, the restaurant has to use food or food ingredients that do not contain trans fats,” Encarnacion said. “The impact to the consumer is hopefully a more healthy meal.” The aim of the new law is to protect consumers from eating trans fat when a meal’s nutrition facts are not readily available. It does not apply to any food being sold in its original manufacturer packaging, which already provides its nutritional information. “Food being sold in the original sealed package made by the manufacturer are exempt because a person can make that decision by looking at the nutrition fact panel,” Encarnacion said. According to Encarnacion, consumption of trans fat has been linked to heart disease. He said the mechanism behind the artificial fats raises bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) levels while lowering levels of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) — a combination health experts consider detrimental. Penalties for eateries violating the new law will result in fines ranging from $25 to $1,000, depending on the severity of the violation. San Diego County Department of Environmental Health’s field staff will look for the trans fats during their normal inspections. “Manufacturers and retailers are cooperating very greatly with the health department to provide good meals for their consumers and to allow consumers to make an informed decision,” Encarnacion said.   What else is new? • On the calendar, a bill co-authored by local Sen. Christine Kehoe will designate May 22 as Harvey Milk Day throughout California starting this year. Assembly Bill 2567 celebrates Milk and encourages educational institutions to conduct exercises to recognize the first openly gay elected public official in California on May 22. • On the roadways, Assembly Bill 62 puts restrictions on having video screens in vehicles. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), video monitors are allowed, but any video equipment within a car must be designed, operated and configured in a manner so that the driver cannot view them while operating that vehicle. • Senate Bill 159 extends the Jan. 1 ending date for the “Move Over, Slow Down” law. This extends indefinitely the law that requires freeway drivers approaching a lane next to a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights or tow truck displaying amber warning lights to change lanes or slow down to a reasonable speed. • A final law of note that took effect on Jan. 1 aims to help property owners avoid scams. According to the San Diego County Assessor’s Office, Assembly Bill 992 helps those owning properties from being subject to scam mailers that resemble official documents when they are re-assessing the value of their property.