Suffolk County has cracked down on artificial trans fat.

As of Oct. 28, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, shortenings or margarines for frying, pan-frying, grilling or as a spread have been outlawed in various Suffolk venues — unless the ingredients in the food contain less than .5 grams of artificial trans fat per serving. As of Oct. 28, 2011, .5 grams or more will be illegal in all foods, not just vegetable oils, shortenings and margarines.

The movement was led by county Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station), who introduced the bill, which was signed into law in February 2009, that bans the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants, catering establishments, school cafeterias, bakeries and mobile food units.

“When I started researching trans fats, I realized they’re killers leading to stroke, diabetes and heart disease, so it was important to me that we get rid of them in Suffolk County,” Mr. D’Amaro said. “Ultimately, they’re going to cause our demise.”

Artificial trans fat — created when a vegetable oil is pumped with hydrogen and becomes a solid at room temperature — was banned for frying oils in Nassau County in April 2008, and for baked goods in April 2009. Artificial trans fat is a cheap option that prolongs the shelf life of foods such as cookies, cakes and frying oils. They’re common in baked goods, frozen french fries, margarines and shortenings. The fat is known to clog arteries, increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol and decrease HDL or “good” cholesterol, and they have no known health benefits.

Alternatives to the unhealthy fat include soybean, corn or canola oil.

Some trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy products. There is some controversy over whether natural trans fats have overall positive or negative health effects.

Mr. D’Amaro said eliminating the dangerous artificial trans fat is especially important in schools.

“It has to be eliminated, especially at an early age,” he said. “If we teach children at an early age to eat healthy, they’ll benefit personally and we’ll benefit when it comes to health care.”

No schools in SunLand currently use artificial trans fat, The Sun found, though natural trans fats do turn up in cafeteria foods throughout the region.

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