South L.A. gets cap on fast food

LOS ANGELES (AP) | In the impoverished neighborhood of South Los Angeles, fast food is the easiest cuisine to find - and that’s an annoyance for elected officials who see it as an unhealthy source of calories and cholesterol.

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a low-income area of the city.

“Our communities have an extreme shortage of quality foods,” City Councilman Bernard Parks said.

The aim of the yearlong moratorium, which was approved last week in committee, is to give the city time to try to attract restaurants that serve healthier food.

The California Restaurant Association says the moratorium, which could be extended up to two years, is misguided.

Fast food “is the only industry that wants to be in South L.A.,” said association spokesman Andrew Casana. “Sit-down restaurants don’t want to go in. If they did, they’d be there. This moratorium isn’t going to help them relocate.”

The ban comes as governments at all levels are increasingly viewing menus as a matter of public health. Last Friday, California became the first state in the nation to bar trans fats, which lowers levels of good cholesterol and increases bad cholesterol.

It also comes as the Los Angeles City Council takes up issues beyond safety, schools and streets. The City Council last week decided to outlaw plastic bags.

Fast-food restaurants have found themselves feeling the heat in a number of cities.

Some places, including Carmel-by-the Sea and Calistoga, have barred “formula” restaurants altogether. Others have placed a cap on them - Arcata allows a maximum of nine fast-food eateries.

Still others have prohibited the restaurants in certain areas, such as Port Jefferson, N.Y., in its waterfront area.

Most initiatives were designed to preserve a city’s historic character. The Los Angeles bid is one of few that cite residents’ health.

The mounting pressure has caused chains to insert healthier food choices in their menus. McDonalds offers salads and low-fat dressings; Burger King stocks Kids Meals with milk and apple pieces.

That’s why the restaurant industry says it’s unfair to blame them for fat people.

“What’s next - security guards at the door saying, ‘You’re overweight, you can’t have a cheeseburger?’ ” Mr. Casana said.

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