SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5649

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Agriculture, February 27, 2003

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: Senators Swecker, Rasmussen and Kohl-Welles; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Agriculture: 2/18/03, 2/27/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Swecker, Chair; Brandland, Vice Chair; Jacobsen, Rasmussen and Sheahan.

Staff: Bob Lee (786-7404)

Background: The Department of Health has been working with the food service industry and local heath departments on updating the current state food service rules.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has developed a model food code that states may use in developing their food code.

Summary of Bill: The State Health Board is required to consider the most recent version of the United States Food and Drug Administration's food code for the purpose of adopting state food service rules.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Good progress is being made to update the state food service rules with involved stakeholders. Requiring that the FDA's model code be considered by the State Health Board will help to promote uniformity within the state and between the states.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Jennifer Tebaldi, WA Dept. of Health (pro); Marianne Seifert, WA State Board of Health (pro); Amy Brackenbury, WA Food Industry (pro).