Title: An act relating to referencing the United States food and drug administration's food code.

Brief Description: Allowing the state board of health to reference the United States food and drug administration's food code for the purpose of adopting food service rules.

Sponsors: By Representatives Darneille, Cody, Clements, Campbell, Bush, Anderson and Pflug; by request of Department of Health.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Requires the State Board of Health to consider the current version of the United States Food and Drug Administration's Food Code when adopting rules for food service.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Benson, Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that every year there are 76 million occurrences of food borne illnesses resulting in approximately 324,000 hospitalizations and 5,200 deaths.

The FDA provides guidance to state and local agencies regarding safe food service practices. The FDA developed the Food Code in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Agriculture to provide current enforcement standards for safe food service practices. The Food Code was first published in 1993 and has been revised every two years since that time. At least 30 states have adopted one of these versions of the Food Code.

The Washington State Board of Health (Board) is authorized to establish minimum standards for the prevention and control of food borne illnesses. Local jurisdictions may adopt more stringent standards. The Board's rules direct food service establishments in the areas of food supplies, food protection, public health labeling, food preparation, temperature control, personal hygiene, garbage and litter, sanitary equipment, and pest control.

When adopting rules for food service, the State Board of Health must consider the current version of the United States Food and Drug Administration's Food Code.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Food Code is the best available guidance and science regarding food service standards. Using the Food Code will streamline the rulemaking process and promote consistency in food service practices between states.

Testified: (In support) Representative Darneille, prime sponsor; Jennifer Tebaldi, Department of Health; and Marianne Seiffert, State Board of Health.