| 47 | | - | Section 1. The legislature finds that according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over fifteen percent of the United States' population, 49,000,000 individuals suffered from bacterial infections linked to foodborne illness. Additionally, over 128,000 individuals are hospitalized, and three thousand individuals die annually due to known pathogens transmitted through food in the United States. The legislature recognizes that Hawaii's very young and very old are the most susceptible and vulnerable to the harm caused by foodborne diseases. The legislature further finds that the proper handling of food, in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, from source to sale is the best way to protect Hawaii and its people. The purpose of this Act is to protect the health of Hawaii's consumers by establishing a task force to review the State's food security and food safety procedures. Section 2. (a) There is established a task force to review the State's food security and food safety practices and recommend specific actions to ensure that Hawaii's food imports, including meat, produce, and all dairy products, are sourced, transported, stored, and distributed to retailers, restaurants, institutions, schools, or any other designated place of sale to the public, in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, including strict adherence to proper temperatures and handling at every control point from source to designated place of sale. (b) To ensure Hawaii's food security and food safety, the task force shall also develop specific recommendations to ensure that all foods and brands imported into Hawaii do not mislead or confuse the public through name, pictures, artwork, or statements in packaging or by advertising that imply the imported food's origin is from Hawaii or has the same freshness or qualities as food that is locally grown or produced. (c) To ensure a broad level of support and high level of necessary expertise, the task force members shall consist of: (1) The director of health; (2) Two members of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate; (3) The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee on agriculture; (4) The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee on health, human services, and homelessness; (5) One professor, associate professor, or assistant professor from the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii; and (6) Two private business owners of longstanding Hawaii-owned businesses that are directly involved in food distribution and are operating in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, who shall be invited by the task force members identified in paragraphs (1) to (3). (d) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation. (e) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022. (f) The task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2022. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021. |
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| 47 | + | Section 1. The legislature finds that according to data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 49,000,000 individuals are sickened, 128,000 individuals are hospitalized, and 3,000 individuals die annually in the United States from foodborne diseases. The legislature recognizes that Hawaii's very young and very old are the most susceptible and vulnerable to the harm caused by foodborne diseases. The legislature further finds that the proper handling of food, in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, from source to sale is the best way to protect Hawaii and its people. The purpose of this Act is to protect the health of Hawaii's consumers by establishing a task force to review the State's food security and food safety procedures. Section 2. (a) There is established a task force to review the State's food security and food safety practices. The task force shall review and recommend specific actions to ensure that Hawaii's food imports, including meat, produce, and all dairy products, are sourced, transported, stored, and distributed to retailers, restaurants, institutions, schools, or any other designated place of sale to the public, in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, including strict adherence to proper temperatures and handling at every control point from source to designated place of sale. (b) In order to ensure Hawaii's food security and food safety, the task force shall also develop specific recommendations to ensure that all foods and brands imported into Hawaii do not mislead or confuse the public through name, pictures, artwork, or statements in packaging or by advertising that imply the imported food's origin is from Hawaii or has the same freshness or qualities as food that is locally grown or produced. (c) In order to ensure a broad level of support and high level of necessary expertise, the task force members shall consist of: (1) Two members of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate; (2) The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee on agriculture; (3) The chairperson of the house of representatives standing committee on health, human services, and homelessness; (4) One professor, associate professor, or assistant professor from the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the University of Hawaii; and (5) Two private business owners of longstanding Hawaii-owned businesses that are directly involved in food distribution and are already operating in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, who shall be invited by the task force members identified in paragraphs (1) to (3). (d) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation. (e) The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022. (f) The task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2022. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000. |
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