HCS HB 202 -- MISSOURI CALCIUM INITIATIVE

CO-SPONSORS:   Holand (Portwood)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute creates a Missouri Calcium Initiative.  The
substitute 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 food and
beverages that are equal to or lower in price than products of
the same type and nutritional quality.  If a state institution
determines that the food and beverages will interfere with the
proper treatment and care of a patient, it need not make the
purchases for that patient.

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

The substitute does not require voiding the terms of any contract
entered before July 1, 2003.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that calcium deficiency has become an
epidemic in the United States.  Most school-aged children consume
half of the recommended daily allowance of calcium.  Decreased
consumption of calcium has been associated with various diseases,
including eclampsia, hypertension, Type-II diabetes, obesity, and
colon cancer.  The bill would promote increased consumption of
calcium and decrease diseases and injuries related to calcium
deficiency.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Portwood; Missouri
State Medical Association; and Missouri State Chiropractors
Association.  Written testimony was submitted by Missouri Dairy
Association; and United Steelworkers of America.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am