On Monday, the New York City Board of Health will hold its first hearing to look into banning “artificial trans-fats” in public restaurants. Why? Nanny says so.

That ingredient is artificial trans fatty acids, which are so common that the average American eats 4.7 pounds a year, according to the Food and Drug Administration. City health officials say these so-called trans fats are so unhealthy they belong in the same category as food spoiled by rodent droppings.

Then why doesn’t the rat excrement ban apply? Is there one? What if we have notes from our mothers?