Trans-fats to be trimmed from fair

A county law that bans trans fatty acids in the county took effect in January. All foods fried, grilled, sautÈed or used as a spread are affected. In January 2009, the law will be expanded to include baked goods, deep-fried yeast and cake batter.

Montgomery County Agricultural Center Inc., which puts on the fair, asked vendors in a January letter to obey the law, said the groupës executive director Martin Svrcek. Church groups licensed to sell food must comply, although 4-H contest entries are exempt until 2009.

"We've actually been using zero trans fat for about a year now, just for the simple reason that folks are more health conscious nowadays," said vendor Eric Timmons, who sells fried corn dogs and glazed funnel cakes. "Also because some areas other than Montgomery County have made using zero-trans fat cooking mandatory as well."

Charlie Belknap, spokesman for Powers Great American Midway Carnivals, which brings the fair's carnival, said seven of his food vendors are affected and are in compliance.

"God knows we're behind that stuff," he said. "It's better for these people."

In all, nine concessionaires and five food booths at the fair have been asked to change, said Marnie Adamson-Comanda, a fair official. None refused to return.

County health code inspectors are contacting vendors to ensure they are familiar with code requirements, as they apply for licenses and permits said Ellen Smedley, a Montgomery County Health and Human Services environmental health specialist. Inspectors will be at the fair and violators will be asked to remove trans fat oils and replace them with an alternative; they may also face a $50 penalty. HHS distributed brochures on the ban at last year's fair, Smedley said.

Timmons Concessions, a third-generation family business from Spartanburg, S.C., has sold fair favorites at the Montgomery fair for about 14 years, he said.

"There is not much cost difference" in going trans fat free, Timmons said. "It's just harder sometimes to buy in bulk."

FoodPRO of Frederick, the fair's main food supplier will have zero-fat canola oil on hand for all food vendors, said supplier Steve McAteer. About 12,000 pounds of french fries are cooked up during the week-long event.

The real impact to fair vendors is not in cost but in taste, Timmons said. His glazed funnel cakes made from scratch using a family recipe had the taste and consistency of a Krispy Kreme doughnut, he said.

"There is a taste difference there, it doesn't have the greasy texture to it," he said, describing the healthier version of his famous corn dogs. Funnel cake lovers mask the change with toppings such as confectionary sugar, cinnamon and fruit, so the difference is more negligible, he said. Belknap said he thought few people would notice.