07-R274

2007 -- H 5072 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/22/07

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CREATE AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE THE VOLUNTARY ELIMINATION OF TRANS FATS IN RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, and Naughton

Date Introduced: January 16, 2007

     WHEREAS, The United States Food and Drug Administration and health authorities cite

scientific evidence showing that the consumption of trans fat raises a person's harmful cholesterol

level and reduces good cholesterol, thereby contributing to heart attacks, strokes and other

cardiovascular complications each year; and

     WHEREAS, Some food products naturally contain small amounts of trans fats; and

     WHEREAS, The food service industry has achieved remarkable success in a relatively

short period of time in effectively removing or reducing trans fat levels in foods by decreasing the

use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils; and

     WHEREAS, The food service industry continues to spend substantial funds on research

in an effort to find alternatives to the use of trans fat products; and

     WHEREAS, A ban on trans fats could artificially inflate the costs associated with trans

fat free alternative products, eliminate products such as bakery products that currently have no

alternative or limited supplies available, or prompt food service facilities to use products high in

saturated fat; and

     WHEREAS, Public education on health issues remains a critical factor in improving the

health and overall well being of Rhode Island citizens; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Department of Health,

acting in its capacity as the Public Health Authority, to prepare a strategic plan to educate the

public about the health hazards associated with consuming artificial trans fats, including use of

existing newsletters, websites and advertising; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Department to develop and return to the

House of Representatives, on or before March 31, 2008, a voluntary incentive-based education

and certification program which shall have integrated community review and comment and which

shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

     1. The issuance of a detailed communication to all retail food establishments, informing

them of the health concerns associated with the trans fats and of sources of information which

will assist them in reducing artificial trans fats in foods products; and

     2. The establishment of incentives to encourage retail food establishments to offer for

sale trans fat free menu selections and/or to create and market trans fat free food products

voluntarily; and

     3. An education campaign targeted to retail food establishment owners and their

employees to inform them of the health benefits of eliminating trans fats, including alternative

cooking oils that could be used; and

     4. A public education campaign to inform the general public of the health risks associated

with trans fats; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Health.

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LC00170/SUB A

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