THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

9

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of health TO determine the feasibility of reducing or eliminating the use of trans fats in food preparation and food service by hawaii's restaurant industry.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, although trans fats occur in small quantities in meat and dairy products, most trans fats consumed today are created as a side effect of partial hydrogenation of plant oils, an industrial process developed in the early 1900s; and

 

     WHEREAS, health authorities worldwide recognize that eating trans fats that result from partial hydrogenation is neither required nor beneficial for health, increases the risk of coronary heart disease, and creates more of a health risk than consumption of fats that occur naturally; and

 

     WHEREAS, trans fats, which are tightly regulated in a few countries and must be disclosed on product labels in many other countries such as the United States, are being voluntarily removed from food products by many companies that are establishing trans fat-free product lines; and

 

     WHEREAS, in May 2005, Tiburon, California, became the first American city where all restaurants voluntarily cook with trans-fat-free oils; and

 

     WHEREAS, in December 2006, the city of New York became the first large United States city to strictly limit the use of trans fats in restaurants; and

 

     WHEREAS, similar legislation banning the use of trans fats was approved in Philadelphia; and

 

     WHEREAS, other cities throughout the country including Chicago and Seattle are also considering a ban on oils containing trans fats for large chain restaurants; and

 

     WHEREAS, the state of Massachusetts is considering legislation to ban restaurants statewide from preparing food with trans fats; and

 

     WHEREAS, major food chains such as Kraft, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, Wendy's, Taco Bell, and the Walt Disney Company have chosen to reduce or remove trans fats from their products by a specified date; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the Department of Health is requested to determine the feasibility of reducing or eliminating the use of trans fats in food preparation and food service by Hawaii's restaurant industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to work with the Hawaii Restaurant Association and the Hawaii Food Industry Association by surveying its members concerning reducing or eliminating trans fats in their food preparation or food service activities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests that the survey address issues such as consumer trends, costs and availability of trans fat-free cooking oils, and economic, health, education, and other concerns related to trans fat-free food; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, if necessary, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the


Director of Health, the Hawaii Restaurant Association, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Health; Food Establishments; Food Service; Trans Fat