Politics and Culture

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 17 — The deep-fried Combo Plate may be a little more healthful this year at the Great Indiana State Fair. So say the fair’s leaders, who, taking a step rarely seen in the realm of corn dogs and fried pickles, have banned oils with trans fats from all the fryers that line the grounds here

Jeremy Orme's stand is the home of the Combo Plate: a Snickers, two Oreos and a Reese's, all battered and deep-fried.

The change is only the latest in a string of bans on artificial trans fats. Tied to health problems including heart disease, they have been banished by national restaurant chains, snack brands and New York City, which forbids restaurants to use them in food preparation.

This is a good decision by the state fair, and we should applaud private entities that act in ways that benefit people. Public institutions like the city government of New York should err towards freedom and ban only those things which present a clear and present danger, however.