Does this qualify as fiddling while Rome (the Delaware economy) burns?
HOUSE BILL NO. 3
http://www.legis.delaware.gov/LIS/LIS146.NSF/vwLegislation/2CD4EA3BFF35D9E7852577F9006102D4?Opendocument
SPONSOR:
Rep. Kowalko & Sen. Sokola
Reps. Jaques, Keeley, Longhurst, Mitchell, Ramone, Willis
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
146th GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LIMITING ARTIFICIAL TRANS FATS IN FOOD AVAILABLE OR SERVED TO STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INCLUDING CHARTER SCHOOLS.
WHEREAS, the Governor of Delaware has identified the health and fitness of our children as a major concern for our public schools; and
WHEREAS, for the first time in over a century, children born today have an expected life span that is shorter than that of their parents; and
WHEREAS, studies have identified food additives, such as artificial trans fatty acids, commonly termed trans fats, as a major cause of coronary heart disease; and
WHEREAS, limiting a child's access to foods which contain trans fats will reduce the child's risk of contracting coronary heart disease and related health problems;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code by adding thereto a new section to read:
"§ 4135. Limitation of Trans Fats in Food Available or Served to Students in Public Schools.
(a) Public schools, including charter schools, and school districts, during school hours, shall not make available to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 any food containing artificial trans fatty acids, as defined in subsection (b) of this section, or use food containing artificial trans fatty acids in the preparation of food items served to such students.
(b) For purposes of this section, a food contains artificial trans fatty acid if the food is labeled as vegetable shortening, margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or if it contains more than 0.5 gram per serving of vegetable shortening, margarine, or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as an ingredient.".
Section 2. This Act shall take effect 90 days after its enactment into law; however, if this Act impairs a contractual obligation, then this Act shall take effect upon the expiration or termination of such contract.
SYNOPSIS
This Bill prohibits public schools, including charter schools, and school districts from making available or serving food with more than 0.5 gram of artificial trans fatty acids to students in grades K through 12.
