Brookline Donuts and French Fries Might Taste Different

Trans fat, the substance that keeps certain foods mysteriously moist for an artificial length of time, might be banned in Brookline effective May 29, during the town meeting.

Studies show that trans fats increase bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. They became such a concern that the amount of trans fats in a food is listed on food labels - which you don't get in restaurants.

If the ban passes, it doesn't mean Brookline restaurants will be stuck looking for a substitute immediately. If the trans fats are banned, the Globe writes, "Restaurants would have a year and a half to stop using trans fats for frying and two years to stop using them in baked goods."

The potential ban might seem like another example of the government babysitting the masses, but, on the bright side, the ban's proponents don't want to go sniffing for the contraband Crisco in your pantry. The Brookline TAB reports, "Bake sales would be excluded, assuming baked goods are prepared in private homes."

Image of French Fries by Flickr user jjsawrey.