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New Live Healthy Putnam Initiative Launched by Dept. of Health During Public Health Week
In an effort to kick off National Public Health Week , the Putnam County Department of Health launched their new Live Healthy Putnam campaign today. This new campaign will incorporate a number of initiatives that will assist Putnam residents in obtaining healthier lives.
The first initiative, named We Checked for You was presented today to a group of restaurant and deli owners at the 2nd annual Food Operator's seminar held in Carmel. The We Checked for You initiative involves restaurants and other food service establishments in Putnam County being asked to voluntarily eliminate the use of cooking oils, salad oils, margarines, and butter substitutes containing artificial trans fats from their food preparation.
Artificial trans fats have been used in products to extend their shelf life, but they are also known to increase the risk of heart disease. Food Service providers agreeing to comply with this Health Department recommendation will have will be issued a sticker with a Red Check, stating "We Checked for You" to indicate that no oils or butter substitutes containing artificial trans fats were added during the preparation of food at their establishments. The stickers will be displayed in Restaurant/Deli store fronts to advertise that no artificial trans fats are being used. Putnam residents will soon be able to view a list of these locations by town on the Putnam County website www.putnamcountyny.com
The Health Department is also planning a second initiative to help Putnam County residents begin to think about their eating and physical activity habits. The Health Department will be challenging residents to take an on-line nutrition and fitness quiz to rate how they are doing in these categories. The quiz is planned to be available on-line by the end of April. These two initiatives are the first part of the Health Department's roll-out of the Live Healthy Putnam Campaign. Health Department Commissioner, Sherlita Amler, M.D., fully endorsed both initiatives indicating all residents should make even the smallest effort to improve the lives of themselves and their families. Be on the look-out for more initiatives the Health department will be rolling out in the months to come!
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