07 HR
826/RCSFA
House
Resolution 826 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE) (AM)
By:
Representatives Dollar of the
45th,
Cooper of the
41st,
Hudson of the
124th,
Lunsford of the
110th,
and Stephenson of the
92nd
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
a House Study Committee on Trans Fat Alternatives for the Georgia Food Industry;
and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
approximately 80 million Americans, or about one in three adults, have one or
more types of cardiovascular diseases (CVD); and
WHEREAS,
CVD continues to be the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in the
United States; and
WHEREAS,
every year since 1900, except 1918, CVD has accounted for more deaths than any
other single cause or group of causes of death; and
WHEREAS,
on average, over 17,000 people die of CVD related illness each year in Georgia;
and
WHEREAS,
on average, 59 percent of the adult population in Georgia is considered to be
overweight or obese, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control;
and
WHEREAS,
overweight and obesity are well-established risk factors for CVD;
and
WHEREAS,
partially hydrogenated oils and shortenings are widely used ingredients and
preservatives within the food industry which typically contain dangerously high
levels of artificially generated trans fats; and
WHEREAS,
trans fats used in various cooking methods have been scientifically proven to
cause significant decreases in beneficial HDL cholesterol levels while
dramatically increasing detrimental LDL cholesterol in those that consume them;
and
WHEREAS,
those that consume diets high in trans fats have been statistically shown to be
at higher risk for other critical indicators for CVD, such as hardening of the
arteries, blockage of arteries, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes; and
WHEREAS,
despite the dangers associated with consumption of food products containing
significant amounts of trans fats, there are currently no disclosure
requirements for, or limits to, the amounts of trans fats used in various
cooking methods employed by public school cafeterias, restaurants, or bakeries
producing food products which are not packaged and therefore not subject to Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) labeling guidelines which became effective January
1, 2006; and
WHEREAS,
due to the aforementioned lack of regulation and oversight with regard to
disclosure of trans fat content, the general public is largely unaware of the
actual amounts of trans fats present in foods being sold by certain restaurants
and bakeries; and
WHEREAS,
dietary guidelines published by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) suggest that the food industry has an important role in decreasing the
trans fatty acid content of the food supply; and
WHEREAS,
suitable cost-effective alternatives for partially hydrogenated oils have been
identified and approved for use in the segment of the food industry which
produces foods not currently subject to the aforementioned FDA labeling
regulations.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Study Committee on Trans Fat Alternatives for the Georgia Food
Industry to be composed of six members of the House of Representatives to be
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Speaker of the
House of Representatives shall designate a member of the House who shall serve
as chairperson of the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the current
use of trans fats in Georgia's food industry and public school system, the scope
of which shall include the following:
(1)
The committee shall be charged with examining the feasibility of state-wide
restrictions on the use of artificial trans fats and products that contain them
in public schools and restaurants that are not otherwise subject to the current
Food and Drug Administration's regulation;
(2)
The committee shall hear from industry experts and key leaders concerned with
this issue and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems
necessary or appropriate. The committee is encouraged to hear testimony from
State of Georgia public health officials, health organizations, food industry
representatives, restaurant vendors and suppliers, state school board officials,
representatives from other states or municipalities that have instituted
restrictions on the use of trans fats, or any other entities that the committee
deems necessary; and
(3)
Due diligence should be exercised when evaluating potential alternatives to
products containing trans fats so as to avoid any unintended negative health
consequences caused by said alternatives.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee may conduct such meetings at such places
and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to
exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish
the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee
shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall
not be received by any member of the committee for more than three days unless
additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions
of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the House of
Representatives. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and
recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report
shall be made on or before December 31, 2007. The committee shall stand
abolished on December 31, 2007.