SCS SB 308 -- MISSOURI CALCIUM INITIATIVE

SPONSOR:  Steelman (Portwood)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Health
Care Policy by a vote of 13 to 1.

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 hypertension, Type-II diabetes, obesity, and colon
cancer.  The substitute would promote increased consumption of
calcium and decrease diseases and injuries related to calcium
deficiency.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Portwood for Senator
Steelman.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am