Report Title:

Heart Healthy Working Group; Reduce or Eliminate Trans Fats; Food Service Establishments

 

Description:

Establishes the heart healthy working group to develop a plan to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of trans fats in Hawaii's food preparation and food service industry.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1297

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to health.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the goals of the department of health are to prevent disease, and to promote healthy lifestyles and the well-being of the people of Hawaii.  It has been well documented that dietary trans fat increases the risk of heart disease.  Most dietary trans fat is found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil which is widely used in food service industry preparations.

     Heart healthy alternatives to dietary trans fat, such as non-hydrogenated monounsaturated and polyunsaturated vegetable oils, and other, newly developed oils, are currently and readily available.  Scientific studies have shown a decrease in coronary heart disease events, such as heart attacks, by at least six per cent when trans fat is replaced with currently available heart healthy alternatives.

     National surveys show that Americans spend almost half of their food dollars eating out.  An estimated one-third of dietary trans fat comes from foods purchased in restaurants. 

Many restaurant establishments throughout the country have already replaced artificial trans fat with currently available heart healthy alternatives without a noticeable taste difference to consumers.

     The continued presence of artificial trans fat in restaurant foods needlessly increases the risk of heart disease for Hawaii's residents.  The purpose of this Act is to establish a heart healthy working group to develop a plan to eliminate or significantly reduce the use of trans fats in Hawaii's food preparation and food service industry.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established no later than July 1, 2009, within the department of health, the heart healthy working group, to develop and implement a plan to eliminate or drastically reduce the use of trans fats in Hawaii's food preparation and food service industry.  The plan shall include:

     (1)  Research of other state laws and trends regarding restrictions on the use of trans fats;

     (2)  The determination of relevant definitions, necessary labeling requirements, reasonable exceptions, and appropriate penalties for violations; and

     (3)  A public awareness campaign and heart healthy education.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of eleven members appointed by the governor, including at least one member from the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Hawaii Restaurant Association, and the American Heart Association, three members who are health and nutrition experts designated by the director of health, and other interested stakeholders.

     (c)  The heart healthy working group shall submit a preliminary report of its findings to the legislature by December 31, 2009 and a final report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session.

     (d)  The heart healthy working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2010.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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