Laying the groundwork for a fat ban...

It won't be long now.

"I think what the city is trying to do is great," said Matthew Kenney, chef at Gramercy's Pure Food and Wine restaurant.

"These should be banned everywhere. They're extremely hard on your body, and they give an artificial, bad taste.

"I have never used them. There are so many healthier, better-tasting alternatives."

Health officials estimate about 30% of city restaurants use the modified fats - and many consumers don't realize what they're eating.

While Mayor Bloomberg's most famous foray into public health policy - the smoking ban in restaurants and bars - has drawn mixed reviews, diners roundly welcomed yesterday's announcement.

"We eat out all the time, and you have no idea what you're eating," said John Dewey, 39, chowing down at the Cupcake Cafe, on W. 39th St., yesterday.

"Let's give [the city] tons of credit," said Marion Nestle, chairwoman of New York University's department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health.

"Restaurants that have health-conscious consumers will pay attention to this."

The New York initiative is the latest in a series of government efforts - including more than 200 bills introduced by lawmakers this year - to tackle America's obesity problem.

These are probably the same nitwits who think cell phones should remain banned on airplanes.