Bill Text: CA SB478 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Food safety.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-31 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB478 Detail]

Download: California-2011-SB478-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 478	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Pavley

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act relating to food safety.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 478, as introduced, Pavley. Food safety.
   Existing law governs the production, inspection, and distribution
of food in this state in order to ensure, among other purposes, the
safety and quality of food. The Department of Food and Agriculture is
required to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the
state, and is required to seek, enhance, protect, and perpetuate the
ability of the private sector to produce food and fiber in a way that
benefits the general welfare and economy of the state.
   This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would establish the California Food Policy Council
to develop a strategic planning process to provide information for
the implementation of California's food policy and to ensure
effective interagency coordination of state policies, programs, and
activities regarding California's food system.
   The bill would also set forth legislative findings and
declarations regarding the food supply system.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) It is in the best interest of the state to ensure the
availability of an adequate supply of safe, wholesome, and nutritious
food to its citizens.
   (b) To this end, the State of California supports a food supply
system that does the following:
   (1) Ensures California residents have a safe and stable food
supply, free of interruption by natural or human events.
   (2) Enhances the access, availability, affordability, and quality
of food for all its citizens.
   (3) Maintains a safety net to ensure food security from hunger for
its citizens.
   (4) Contributes positively to the nutritional, economic, and
social well-being of its citizenry and its rural communities.
   (5) Is economically and environmentally sustainable.
   (6) Recognizes that California is a unique place with diverse
land, soil, climate, and fisheries conducive to the production of a
wide array of food products.
   (7) Promotes a fair return to all participants, provides
entrepreneurial freedom, and allows access to opportunity to
participate in the food supply system.
   (8) Increases food self-reliance through promoting production of
food in California and increasing the consumption of California
produced food products.
   (9) Is recognized as a vital sector of the California economy,
enhances economic development, and contributes positively to
California's quality of life.
   (10) Is supported with assurance of an adequate supply of farmland
and access to working waterfronts to sustain California's food and
fisheries industries and provide for their future growth.
   (11) Is accompanied by public and consumer information on the
health values of a proper diet, healthy lifestyle, and access to
California produced agricultural and fish products.
   (12) Is supported by stable and consistent state policies and
programs.
  SEC. 2.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation
that would establish the California Food Policy Council to develop a
strategic planning process that is data driven and outcome oriented,
to provide information for the implementation of California's food
policy, and to ensure effective interagency coordination of state
policies, programs, and activities regarding California's food
system.