Ontario Education Minister Kathleen Wynne served up legislation Wednesday afternoon to ban trans fats in school cafeterias.

The minister, who tabled the proposed bill at Queen's Park, said the province would work with school boards and suppliers to get chocolate bars and other junk food out of secondary schools.

"Within our schools, we want to encourage the healthier foods and beverages and more active lifestyles students need to be successful," Wynne said in the legislature.

Chocolate bars, potato chips and soft drinks are already banned from Ontario's elementary schools, but the legislation would make that policy law and eventually expand the junk food ban to include high schools.

If passed, the law would see Ontario join other provinces that are banning trans-fatty foods from school cafeterias and vending machines.

Manitoba unveiled plans last week to ban the sale of any food containing trans fats in schools. Prince Edward Island and Alberta have a voluntary ban on trans fats, while British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have policies to phase out the artery-clogging compounds, but have not introduced legislation.

At the federal level, the NDP has been pushing for a Canada-wide trans-fat ban.

An all-party parliamentary task force recommended a ban last year, but the federal Conservative government has yet to respond to the call.

Trans fats, often found in french fries and other fast-food cafeteria staples, are being targeted around the world by advocates of healthy eating, who say the processed oil contributes to a host of health problems, including childhood obesity.

Wynne cautioned the process won't be completed overnight because some boards have contracts with vending machine companies and breaking them would cost them money.

School boards starved for cash: MP

Rosario Marchese, NDP critic for training, colleges and universities, said the ban can't be pushed through quickly because school boards are starving for funds.

"Across the province, these machines are proliferating like rabbits. And why? Because schools need money," he said Wednesday.

Premier Dalton McGuinty said Tuesday the proposed law doesn't mean schools will be prohibited from scheduling special events for students, such as pizza days.

"It's not about never having a chocolate bar. It's not about never having a hot dog. It's about bringing some balance and moderation," he said.

With files from the Canadian Press