THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MYERS, HANNA, BELFANTI, BISHOP, BOBACK, BRADFORD, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CRUZ, DONATUCCI, DRUCKER, D. EVANS, FLECK, FREEMAN, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GRUCELA, HELM, HESS, JOHNSON, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, McCALL, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MENSCH, MILLARD, MOUL, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, OLIVER, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PAYTON, PRESTON, READSHAW, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, STABACK, SWANGER, THOMAS, VULAKOVICH, WATERS, WHEATLEY, WILLIAMS AND YOUNGBLOOD, AUGUST 31, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, AUGUST 31, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing support for "National Food Safety Education Month" in

September 2009.

WHEREAS, In 1994, the National Restaurant Association

Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) International Food Safety

Council created "National Food Safety Education Month" as an

annual campaign; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of "National Food Safety Education

Month" is to strengthen food safety education and training among

persons in the restaurant and food service business and to

educate the public on the safe handling and preparation of food;

and

WHEREAS, There are more than 250 known foodborne diseases

caused by viruses, toxins and metals and usually stemming from

the improper handling, preparation or storage of food; and

WHEREAS, Bacteria are the common cause of foodborne illness;

and

WHEREAS, Foodborne illness costs the United States economy

five to six billion dollars each year in lost productivity,

hospitalization, long-term disability and even death; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Agriculture

estimated that in 2000, medical costs and losses in productivity

resulting from five bacterial foodborne pathogens was $6.9

billion; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that in 2001, the annual cost of

salmonellosis caused by the Salmonella bacteria was $2.14

billion, including medical costs, the cost of time lost from

work and the cost or value of premature death; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

estimates that in the United States, there are 76 million

illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths per year

due to consumption of food contaminated with pathogenic

microorganisms; and

WHEREAS, Numerous cases have occurred in the United States

and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 2007 - Salmonella from

peanut butter in 44 states, 425 cases; 2006 - E. coli in eight

states from fresh spinach, 205 cases, including three deaths;

and 2003 - hepatitis A from Chi-Chi's sourced green onions in

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Up to 2,000 cases of salmonellosis occur each year

in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Following four simple steps, consumers can keep food

safe from bacteria: clean--wash hands and surfaces often;

separate--do not cross-contaminate; cook--cook to proper

temperature; and chill--refrigerate promptly; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania express full and enthusiastic

support for "National Food Safety Education Month" in September

2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to

the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each

member of Congress from Pennsylvania.