Indianapolis, IN

Ahh, the state fair. Can’t you just hear the midway music? Feel the searing hot, balmy humidity floating up from the blacktop? Just see all of the thousands of people walking through the different displays? Smell the guilty pleasures of all that the traveling caravans offer as “fair food”?

Well, all of those things will be present yet again this year–with a twist. Indiana State Fair officials, taking a cue from the pressure that the nation has placed on business to be more “health-conscious”, has banned anything with trans fat in it to be served at the Fair from here on out. While at first you may go “What? No Fried oreos? No Fried snickers? No fried chocolate strawberries?”, don’t get too excited. These items will still be served, but the makers have found a reasonable substitute for them in place of those ingredients that offer trans fat. The only exception is popcorn, and the only reason it is being allowed is because makers could not find a substitute with the time constraint of the decision, so officials are allowing it as an exception.

What does this mean? Well, I kind of understand that this is the “lesser of two evils” approach, where it’s kind of the same philosophy of offering “ultra light” cigarettes, which are not good for you but not quite as bad as the, say Marlboro Red variety, but this is a definite step in the right direction. I myself have struggled with weight, and while I understand it’s my responsibility to control my intake, whatever producers can do to make things easier on the consumers through processed food is welcomed in all ways possible. It also follows in the steps of Governor Mitch Daniels’ approach to “Get Fit, Indiana!”, so from a city and state standpoint, I am very glad to see something like this come about–again, it may be just a drop in the bucket, but it’s certainly a sign of things to come.

indiana, indianapolis state fair, fairs, trans fat, weight loss