S-127                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5021

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senator Kreidler

Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 1/5/89.  Read first time 1/9/89 and referred to Committee on  Health Care & Corrections.

AN ACT Relating to health education; creating a new section; adding a new section to chapter 43.20A RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that chronic heart disease and cancer take the lives of many Washington citizens each year.  The surgeon general of the United States has determined that extensive and conclusive scientific research indicates diets high in saturated fats and total fats places one at an increased risk for these diseases.  Additionally, a diet high in cholesterol places one at risk for cardiovascular disease.  The American diet is typically high in both cholesterol and fat.  Reductions in the consumption of total fats will reduce the risk of chronic heart disease and certain cancers, while a reduction in cholesterol will reduce the risk of heart disease.

          The legislature further finds that many citizens are becoming aware of the importance of good diet to good health.  Public awareness through education is one of the most effective ways to promote good diet and proper nutrition.  At the same time people are becoming aware of the importance of good diets, they are also increasingly choosing to eat meals outside the home in restaurants.  It is difficult to identify foods with low fat and cholesterol content, since most restaurants do not provide such information.

          A program to encourage restaurants to voluntarily disclose this information would help citizens select foods low in fat and cholesterol when eating outside the home.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

          The secretary shall establish a program to promote education of the public on the reduction of high fat and high cholesterol foods in the diet.  The program shall be known as the "Washington low fat and cholesterol awareness program" and promote increased awareness of the content of fat and cholesterol in foods served in restaurants.  Participating restaurants shall indicate which foods meet accepted levels of fat and cholesterol by designating the program symbol on the menu by the food item.  The restaurant may also advertise itself as a participating restaurant, if it meets the standards or criteria established by the department.  Participation in the program is voluntary.

          The department shall:

          (1) Work with the restaurant association, the cancer society, the heart association, and other organizations and agencies to promote participation in the program, including identification of participating restaurants;

          (2) Identify acceptable fat and cholesterol standards or criteria;

          (3) Establish procedures for restaurants to participate in the program, including analysis of menu items and food preparation practices for fat and cholesterol content, and develop a display format for the program symbol and other nutritional information on restaurant menus;

          (4) Disseminate educational information to participating restaurants concerning fat and cholesterol in food;

          (5) Design a program logo; and

          (6) Pursue other activities necessary to implement the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of social and health services for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of this act.