California became the first state to ban restaurants from using trans fats Friday, targeting a substance tied to coronary heart disease and a host of other killers.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signing of the new law was hailed as a major breakthrough by health advocates who hope action by the most populous state will spark a domino effect.

"California has always been in the forefront, and this could pave the way for the rest of the nation to follow suit," said Dr. P.K. Shah, director of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

Schwarzenegger's signing of Assembly Bill 97 came nearly one year after he approved narrower legislation to bar trans fats from school vending machines and cafeterias.

"Today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California," the governor said Friday in a written statement.

The new law requires restaurants to stop using trans fats by January 2010, and for bakeries to follow suit one year later.

Eateries that violate the law would be subject to fines ranging from $25 to $1,000.

AB 97 was proposed by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia. It does not apply to trans fats in packaged goods sold in stores.

Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, said the new law "goes way beyond any reasonable role for government."

"It says no longer is it the individual's responsibility to take care of their own body," DeVore said. "Now we have to have government telling us what we can and cannot eat."

Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, a process called hydrogenation, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Known to increase the shelf life and flavor stability of foods, trans fats can be found in some margarines, cookies, crackers and other products made with, or fried in, partially hydrogenated oils.

Besides heart disease, medical research has linked trans fats to strokes, diabetes, infertility and obesity, Shah said.

"Trans fats raise bad cholesterol levels in the blood, and they lower the good cholesterol levels," Shah said. "You get a double whammy."

Dr. Diane Sobkowicz, a cardiologist at Sacramento's Sutter Heart Institute, said AB 97 is vital because families have little or no control over food prepared in restaurants.

"More and more Americans are eating out, we lead very busy lives, and it's hard to gauge what the dietary restrictions are when you're eating out," she said. "I think this (law) is a great step forward."

The California Restaurant Association opposed AB 97, but a spokesman said Friday that the industry is prepared to comply.

"Given the fact that our industry is already moving away from trans fats in response to some of the wishes and desires of our customers, and given the delayed implementation of AB 97, we're confident that our members will be able to meet the mandates," spokesman Daniel Conway said.

Regulating trans fats should be within the purview of the federal government, not individual states, Conway said.

While legislators were debating the bill, the restaurant association had labeled it a "very narrow and misleading approach to a much larger health issue."

Banning trans fats without considering other dietary, genetic and environmental risks will do little to reduce heart disease significantly, the association said.

Many restaurants voluntarily have agreed to crack down in recent years.

Wendy's, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Applebee's, El Pollo Loco and Denny's are among eateries that previously had committed to fully or partially eliminating their use of trans fats, the restaurant group said.

Four restaurateurs contacted Friday said they do not use trans fats and that AB 97 would not wreak havoc on the industry.

Linda Duke, spokeswoman for Rubio's, said the restaurant chain suffered no ill effects from abandoning trans fats last year.

"It's still tasty, it still makes the food have wonderful, distinctive flavors, yet it doesn't cause any harmful reaction or negativity," she said of substitutes.

Mai Pham, owner of La Bou and Lemon Grass restaurants, said the industry was phasing out trans fats long before Friday's signing.

"It's like something you need to do to be competitive these days," she said. "You need to be environmentally friendly, you need to get all the unhealthy ingredients out, and you need to disclose what customers want."

Doug Silva, owner of Silva's Sheldon Inn, said his decision not to use trans fats has been costly: He uses oil that has more than doubled in price over the past 18 months. A five-gallon container costs about $12 more than one with trans fat, he said.

Tourists visiting the Capitol on Friday had mixed views on AB 97.

"I think it goes too far," said Milton Youman, 56, of Sacramento. "The government's got their fingers in enough things right now."

But Don Meredith, 55, of San Dimas, said he understands the dangers of trans fat and tries to avoid it whenever possible.

"I actually think it's a good idea," Meredith said of AB 97.

Call Jim Sanders, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 326-5538.