The Calgary region is to force a major reduction in the use of trans fats in foods old in restaurants and by similar businesses. Trans fats are thought to contribute to the deaths of up to 5,000 Canadians a year through heart disease. 

All margarines, spreads and cooking oils will be required by law to have a maximum trans fat content of two percent of the total fat content.

Many restaurants in Calgary have already voluntarily cut trans fat use, according to the Calgary Health Region. The federal government has said that it will create national limits in 2009 unless the industry makes faster progress on the issue.