46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT TO COOPERATE IN INVESTIGATION OF FOOD SAFETY AND RECOMMEND LEGISLATION FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FORTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, several instances of food contamination have occurred in other states that resulted from improper food handling; and

WHEREAS, public health is at risk from improper handling of meats and vegetables by food handlers in retail food service businesses; and

WHEREAS, federal law provides for meat inspection at the processing facilities and state regulators provide inspection of retail facilities, but food handling represents a critical gap in the chain of food safety; and

WHEREAS, the problem is not in the condition of food processing facilities but in the knowledge of the proper handling procedures and education; and

WHEREAS, raw food is an inherently dangerous commodity if not handled properly; and

WHEREAS, visual inspection for cleanliness and unsanitary conditions cannot accurately determine the presence of harmful bacteria, and under normal processing conditions, not all harmful bacteria can be totally eliminated; and

WHEREAS, proper cooking and handling prior to consumption is the only true safeguard to prevent bacteria growth; and

WHEREAS, educating food handlers at the consumer level as to the proper temperature of food and proper procedures for handling food will provide a safe and cost-effective deterrent to food contamination;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health and the department of environment be requested to establish a task force to evaluate the need for public education programs in proper food handling and to recommend legislation for the second session of the forty-sixth legislature and to involve representatives from:

A. retail food handling businesses;

B. the agricultural extension service;

C. the meatpacking and processing industry;

D. the New Mexico livestock board;

E. the restaurant and food service industry; and

F. other interested parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretaries of health and environment.