HB 1033 -- MISSOURI CALCIUM INITIATIVE

CO-SPONSORS:  Portwood, Barry, Naeger, Hanaway, Secrest,
Reinhart, Hegeman

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children,
Families and Health by a vote of 14 to 0.

This bill creates a Missouri Calcium Initiative.  The bill
requires that a purchasing agent for any state governmental
entity or school district that purchases food or beverages which
are served in a building or room operated or owned by the entity
give preference to high calcium foods and beverages that are
equal to or lower in price than products of the same type and
quality.  If a state institution determines that the foods and
beverages will interfere with the proper treatment and care of a
patient, it need not make such purchase for that patient.

The provisions of the initiative are in addition to any
requirements placed upon a governmental entity by the United
States Department of Agriculture under the National School Lunch
Program or the School Breakfast Program.

The bill does not require voiding the terms of any contract
entered before July 1, 2002.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that low calcium intake has been
identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a
major health care issue in the United States.  A person with a
low calcium intake is at an increased risk of experiencing
various medical conditions, including osteoporosis, Type II
diabetes, colon cancer, hypertension, obesity, and dental caries.
The purposes of the bill are to increase milk consumption,
encourage proper dietary practices, and to lower the financial
costs associated with medical conditions which can result from
low calcium intake.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Portwood; Trent
Jones, M.D.; Child Nutrition Programs; American Cancer Society;
Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians; Missouri State
Chiropractors Association; Missouri State Medical Association;
Missouri Dental Association; United Steelworkers of America,
District II; Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;
Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons; and
written testimony.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:00 am