Nassau County's Department of Health banned the use of trans fats in local eateries Tuesday.

Trans fats are most often found in fried and baked foods cooked in hydrogenated oil. Beginning in April 2008, restaurants, bakeries and other eateries that prepare food in Nassau County will not be allowed to use trans fats. Eateries that use trans fats in their ingredients will have an extra year to adhere to the ban in order to adjust their recipes.

"Trans fats increase the risk of heart disease," said Dr. Abby Greenberg, of the Department of Health.

Greenberg said trans fats were originally thought to be better for the body than saturated fats. Once used, however, she said trans fats proved far less healthy.

Karl Reisterer, owner of Reisterer's Bakery, said trans fats are in many of his baked goods.

"I'm looking at basically a 10 percent increase in prices that'll come just because of switching over to the trans fat-free," he said.

Fast-food chain McDonald's pledged to stop using trans fats years ago, but never made good on the promise. Dunkin' Donuts announced it would unveil a trans fat-free menu next month.

The Department of Health has not yet settled on penalties for eateries that don't adhere to the ban.

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