22 Jan 2010
Sen. Duane Announces Public Hearing on Food Policy in New York State
Senate Hearing Room
11:00 AM to 04:00 PM Archived Video
SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: Food policy in New York State
PURPOSE: To learn about how food policy changes can affect public health
New York City
Friday
January 22, 11 AM
Senate Hearing Room
250 Broadway, 19th Floor
Obesity is a growing problem that has significant health consequences. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and the rates of obesity have tripled in children and teens since 1980. Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. In addition, according to the Comptroller, medical expenses associated with adult obesity costs New York State an estimated $6.1 billion a year. As a result, states and localities across the country are taking legislative action to address the problem. Three policy approaches have been proposed for addressing the issue in New York State:
(1) Calorie Labeling would require chain restaurants to post the caloric value of all items on their menus;
(2) A Trans Fat Ban would prohibit restaurants from utilizing any artificial trans fats in the preparation or cooking of any food item and from serving any food containing artificial trans fats
(3) A Sweetened Beverage Excise would impose an excise on sweetened beverage manufacturers. .
The goal of these three proposals is to raise awareness about the importance of diet and the link to obesity, to reduce the intake of calories, trans fats, and sweetened beverages, and to improve the health of New Yorkers.
The purpose of this hearing is to receive input and listen to feedback from New Yorkers about these proposed policies. In particular the Committee wishes to solicit responses to the following questions:
1) What has been the experience of localities that have implemented their own food policies?
2) What is the evidence that these approaches are effective in reducing obesity and improving public health?
3) What are the non-health implications of these policies?
Anyone wishing to testify or attend the hearing is encouraged to complete the hearing reply form below and return as indicated as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, January 18th. It is important that the form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.
The Committee will accommodate as many witnesses as possible. The Committee also strongly encourages the submission of written testimony. Any written testimony submitted will be considered by the Committee and will be made part of its record. Written testimony, whether presented in person at the hearing or not, should be e-mailed (as a Word or PDF document) before the hearing or as soon as possible after the hearing to: Allison Jacobs, ajacobs@senate.state.ny.us,
Witnesses are asked to keep oral testimony to no more than ten minutes in length.
If you are testifying, please submit fifteen copies of any written statement at the hearing registration table.
In accordance with State and Federal law, the Senate seeks to make its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accomodations will be provided for individuals with disabilities, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate facilities and activities.
Questions about this hearing may be directed to Denise Soffel of the Senate Health Committee at 212-633-8052 or denise@tomduane.com.
Senator Thomas Duane
Chairman
Committee on Health
PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM
Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on “Food policy in New York State” are requested to complete this reply form by Monday, January 18, 2010 and mail, email or fax it to:
Alison Jacobs
New York State Senate
433 Capitol, Albany, NY 12247
(t) 518-455-2630, (f) 518-426-6703
I plan to attend the following public hearing on Food policy in New York State to be conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on January 22.
I would like to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions that may arise. I will provide 15 copies of my prepared statement.
I will address my remarks to the following subjects:
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