BILL REQ. #:  S-0934.1 

Read first time 02/04/09.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to prohibiting the use of trans fats in food establishments; and adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Beginning July 1, 2010, a food establishment operating under a permit issued by a local public health officer may not serve food containing artificial trans fat. The restriction of artificial trans fat includes any food held for service, used in preparation of any menu item, or served in any food establishment. This restriction does not apply to food served directly to patrons in a manufacturer's original sealed package or any food served in a school.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   Except as otherwise provided in this section, a food establishment must maintain on-site the original labels for all food products that contain fats, oils, or shortenings that it has purchased. Documentation from the manufacturers of such food products, indicating whether they contain vegetable shortening, margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or indicating trans fat content, may be maintained instead of original labels.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The director of a local public health jurisdiction or the director's authorized representative is directed to enforce the artificial trans fat restriction and requirements under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Food containing trans fat" means a food that is labeled as, lists as an ingredient, or has vegetable shortening, margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Food with a nutrition facts label or other documentation from the manufacturer listing the trans fat content of the food as less that 0.5 grams per serving shall not be deemed to contain artificial trans fat.
     (2) "Local public health officer" has the same meaning as in RCW 70.24.017.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 69 RCW.