THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2893
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to artificial trans fat.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that trans fatty acids, also known as trans fat, have a detrimental impact on a person's health by:

     (1)  Increasing the blood insulin level in response to glucose load;

     (2)  Affecting immune response;

     (3)  Decreasing the response of red blood cells to insulin;

     (4)  Causing alterations in the physiological properties of biological membranes;

     (5)  Causing alterations in adipose cell size, cell number, lipid class, and fatty acid composition;

     (6)  Lowering serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol; and

     (7)  Impairing endothelium cells.

     In 1997, a New England Journal of Medicine study found that eating one gram of trans fat a day for a decade increased the risk of cardiovascular disease by twenty per cent.  Also, a Harvard Medical School study showed that high trans fat intake represents a significant risk for developing premature diabetes.  Trans fat increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by increasing levels of so-called bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein, and reducing levels of good cholesterol or high density lipoprotein.

     The purpose of this Act is to restrict public schools from serving foods containing artificial trans fat, before and during school or through vending machines.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-     Trans fat; restricting availability at schools.  (a)  For the purposes of this section,

"Artificial trans fat" means vegetable shortening, margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, unless the manufacturer's documentation or the label required on a food, pursuant to applicable federal or state law, lists the trans fat content of the food as less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving.

     "School food service establishment" means a place that regularly sells or serves a food item or meal on a public school campus.

     (b)  No school food service establishment, during school hours or one and one-half hours before or after school, or vending machine situated on public school property shall offer students any food containing artificial trans fat or use food containing artificial trans fat in the preparation of any food item served to students.

     (c)  This section shall not apply to food provided as part of a United States Department of Agriculture meal program."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Education; Artificial Trans Fat

 

Description:

Restricts public schools from serving foods containing artificial trans fat.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.