HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 101

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Max Coll

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO STUDY FOOD QUALITY, FOOD ADDITIVES, HARMFUL PROCESSES APPLIED TO FOOD AND METHODS TO CURB THE CONSUMPTION OF UNHEALTHY FOOD.

     WHEREAS, the improvement of the quality of food grown in, produced in, imported into or exported from New Mexico is necessary to improve nutrition for New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, limiting or labeling additives to food that are carcinogenic, neurotoxic or otherwise deleterious will improve the quality of food available to New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, it is necessary to investigate and identify processes that, when applied to foods, are harmful to human health; and

     WHEREAS, the need to study the medical and biochemical issues pertaining to nutrition has ongoing vital relevancy for all New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, it is necessary to curb the consumption of unhealthy food to promote good nutrition among New Mexicans; and 

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans are in need of information about food quality, food additives and potentially harmful processes to make good nutritional choices;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to appoint a task force comprised of representatives from the department of health, the department of environment, the public education department, the university of New Mexico health sciences center, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the organic commodity commission, the New Mexico livestock board and the office of the attorney general and the chair of the nutrition and dietetics practice board; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to appoint to the task force, in his discretion, other representatives such as internists, family practitioners, pediatricians, cardiologists, toxicologists, ranchers, farmers, biochemists and nutritionists; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor request the task force to study the quality of food grown in, produced in, imported into or exported from New Mexico, methods to improve food quality, methods to curb the consumption of unhealthy foods and the possibility of limiting or labeling food additives that are carcinogenic, neurotoxic or otherwise deleterious; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor request the task force to investigate and identify processes that, when applied to foods, are harmful to human health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor request the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature by January 1, 2005; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to submit two copies of its report to the legislative council service library; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the governor.

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