The end of trans fats is near

We've seeing cities and restaurant chains ban the use of trans fats in foods -- from New York City to KFC to Taco Bell to Starbucks just this past week. Will we continue to see the banning of this dangerous chemical from all kinds of foods and eateries in the future? You bet.

Frito Lay -- whose fattening products I avoid like the plague -- even advertises heavily on many of its products that there are no longer any trans fats used in -- for example -- potato chips and other snack chips. When other manufacturers start following the lead here (and many have), expect to see "0 grams trans fats" on labels for at least a few years until the marketing panache wears off.

Is this good? While some may argue that they would rather eat trans fats (and clog arteries) given the choice, the move by restaurants and processed food makers is more of a marketing opportunity than a pure move for better consumer health -- but I will take it.