Message from the Commissioner

As part of our responsibility to protect the health of our Putnam County residents, the Health Department oversees the safety of food prepared and served by local merchants.  As part of our “Live Healthy Putnam” campaign, restaurants and other food service businesses in Putnam are being asked to voluntarily eliminate the use of cooking oils, salad oils, margarines, and butter substitutes containing artificial trans fats from their food preparation.

Artificial trans fats have been used in products to extend their shelf life, but they are also known to raise levels of LDL (or “bad” cholesterol), and may lower HDL (“good” cholesterol) levels.  In this way trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease.

Restaurants agreeing to comply with this Health Department recommendation will have artificial trans fat use added to the list of items reviewed at their regular inspections.  Food service businesses found to be in compliance will be issued a sticker with a Red Check, stating “We Checked for You” to indicate that no oils or butter substitutes containing artificial trans fats were added during the preparation of food at that location.

Restaurants may serve ready-to-eat products such as breads or cakes prepared by an outside provider, which may contain trans fats.  These products are excluded from current criteria.

You will be able to find a list of restaurants that have earned the Red Check designation by checking on the link for the Trans Fat Free Red Check Restaruants.   We hope you will patronize those businesses working to keep our residents healthy.

Other links on this site will answer many of the questions you may have about trans fat.

Be healthy!

Sherlita Amler, M.D., Commissioner of Health