State-Wide Fat Bans - Schwarzenegger Signs California Trans Fat bill (VIDEO)

California has officially banned trans fats, making it the first US state to make it illegal for restaurants to serve food with the unhealthy unsaturated fats.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the trans fat bill, which also declares that trans (trans- isomer fatty acid) fats won’t be permitted in baked goods either.

“California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans fats,” Schwarzenegger said. “Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California.”

The penalty for not complying? It can be as low as $25 (meh) or as high as $1,000—hopefully that would be PER item sold, but that’s unlikely.

The new laws come into effect in 2010 for restaurants and 2011 for retail baked goods. That gives the grease franchises some time to innovate!

Similar laws have already been implemented in New York City, Philadelphia, Stamford, Conn. and Montgomery County, Md.