(a) No foods containing industrially-produced trans fat, as defined in this section, shall be stored, distributed, held for service, used in preparation of any menu item or served in any food shop, as defined in division (a) of Section 241.03 of this code or successor provision, except food that is being served directly to patrons in a manufacturer’s original sealed package.
(b) For purposes of this section, a food shall be deemed to contain industrially-produced trans fat if the food is labeled as containing, lists as an ingredient, or has vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. However, a food whose nutrition facts label or other documentation from the manufacturer notes the trans fat content of the food is zero (0) grams as labeled then it shall not be deemed to contain industrially-produced trans fat.
(c) Food shops shall maintain on site the original labels identifying the trans fat content or an affidavit provided the food supplier identifying the trans fat content of the food products supplied, or other approved alternative documentation for all food products:
(l) That are, or that contain, fats, oils or shortenings;
(2) That are, when purchased by such food shops, required by applicable federal and state law to have labels; and
(3) That are currently being stored, distributed, held for service, used in preparation of any menu items, or served by the food service establishment.
Documentation Instead of Labels. Documentation acceptable to the Director and based upon information. Documentation acceptable to the Director, from the manufacturers of such food products, indicating whether the food products contain vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or indicating trans fat content, may be maintained instead of original labels.
Documentation required when food products are not labeled. If baked goods, or other food products restricted pursuant to division (a) of this section, that are or that contain fats, oils or shortenings, are not required to be labeled when purchased, food shops shall obtain and maintain documentation acceptable to the Director and based upon information, from the manufacturers of the food products, indicating whether the food products contain vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or indicating trans fat content.
(d) The Director of Public Health may make rules and regulations to secure proper enforcement of this section.
(e) Whoever violates this section is liable to the City of Cleveland for a civil offense and shall receive a warning on the first offense; on the second offense, shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00); on a third offense shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00); and beginning with the fourth offense, shall be fined three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) and each day a violation occurs shall be a separate offense. Any person charged with the commission of a civil offense under this section may appeal to the Director of Public Health, or his or her designee. The appeal shall be taken not later than twenty (20) days from the date of the civil charge. Failure to file an appeal or pay the costs imposed within this time period shall constitute a waiver of the right to contest the charge and shall be considered an admission.
(f) This section shall take effect on January 1, 2013 with respect to oils, shortenings and margarines containing industrially-produced trans fat that are used for frying or in spreads; except that the effective date of this section with regard to oils or shortenings used for deep frying of yeast dough or cake batter, and all other foods containing industrially-produced trans fat, shall be July 1, 2013.
(Ord. No. 1233-15. Passed 11-9-15, eff. 11-11-15)