Artificial trans fat increases the risk of heart disease, a leading cause of death among New Yorkers. There is no safe level of trans fat in our diets. Based on the most conservative estimates, artificial trans fat kills at least 500 New Yorkers each year, more than the number killed each year in motor vehicle accidents. Previously, consumers had no way of knowing whether their food contained trans fat when they dined out. In December 2006, the NYC Board of Health amended the health code to phase out artificial trans fat in all NYC restaurants and other food service establishments.

Grant funding helped launch the Trans Fat Help Center to assist restaurants and other food service establishments in switching from artificial trans fat to healthier oils while maintaining the same taste and texture of food. The multimedia Help Center offers a telephone help line, classes, and web resources in multiple languages, all at no cost to restaurateurs. The Health Department has teamed up with the New York City College of Technology's (City Tech) esteemed culinary training program to house the Help Center and convene a group of local and national culinary experts to act as technical advisors.