LANSING – State Representative Lee Gonzales (D-Flint Township) will be a keynote speaker on Friday, May 18, at Wayne State University's Symposium on Trans Fatty Acids, which will bring together representatives from industry, government and universities from around the country.
The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will focus on the health effects of trans fatty acids (commonly called trans fat) and viable alternatives for Michigan.
"I am pleased to welcome representatives from Wayne State, the Harvard School of Public Health, Monsanto and other organizations who can advance the discussion of this urgent health issue," Gonzales said. "We must build on the momentum around the rest of the country and make Michigan a leader in protecting our residents' health and well-being. Eliminating trans fats is truly a matter of life and death."
Gonzales has sponsored legislation to address trans fat, an industrial creation that the human body cannot metabolize. Trans fat is made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oil to make it last longer – a benefit to the food industry but a bane to human health. Trans fat is linked to obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiac disease and other potentially fatal ailments.
Gonzales' legislation calls for restaurants to indicate which food items contain trans fat and include a state-established warning on their menus and table tents so consumers can make informed, healthy choices. It also calls for a phase-out of trans fat in the production of food in Michigan.
"Consumers and food producers have options for effectively replacing trans fats so we can stop poisoning our bodies," Gonzales said. "I encourage anyone interested in a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their children to come to Friday's event at Wayne State University and learn more."
The symposium is hosted by Wayne State's Department of Nutrition and Food Science, the Michigan Dieticians Association and other organizations. Registered dietitians can earn continuing education credits.
The free program will be held in WSU's Manoogian Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18. Advance registration is required. To register, contact Debbie Zebari at (313) 577-5566 or ab8207@wayne.edu.