Bill
HD 3481
Create a temporary Massachusetts commission to study safety of foods/additives and issue a public report with health recommendations within two years, funded by $2M.
Status: Senate concurred
- Filed: January 17, 2025
- Introduced: February 27, 2025
- Referred to: House Committee on Agriculture
- Senate concurrence: February 27, 2025
Purpose and intent
- Establish a temporary, independent commission to study the safety of certain foods and food additives and to make recommendations intended to improve public health and food safety in Massachusetts.
Key provisions
1) Establishment of a Special Commission
- Creates the Commission to Study the Safety of Food and Food Additives (the Commission).
- The Commission’s mission is to investigate and make recommendations on the safety of specific foods and additives and related public health implications.
2) Membership and leadership
- 3 medical professionals with expertise in public health, nutrition, or endocrinology (appointed by the Governor).
- 2 registered dietitians (appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).
- 2 agricultural/food scientists (appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources).
- 1 representative from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
- 1 representative from the Massachusetts Food Association.
- 1 consumer advocate focusing on food safety (appointed by the Attorney General).
- 1 environmental scientist (appointed by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs).
- 1 pediatrician (appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health).
- 2 representatives from local farmers’ markets or organic/regenerative farming groups (appointed by the House Speaker).
- 2 representatives from local farmers’ markets or organic/regenerative farming groups (appointed by the Senate President).
- The Governor appoints the Chair from among the Commission members.
3) Scope of study
- The Commission shall study, among other relevant items:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Seed oils (e.g., soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed, sunflower)
- Artificial coloring dyes
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, sucralose, saccharin)
- Trans fats
- Sodium nitrite/nitrate in processed meats
- Bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging
- The Commission may consider additional foods or additives based on public discourse, scientific studies, or guidance from health agencies.
4) Powers and duties
- Hold public hearings and conduct research.
- Employ staff as needed.
- Issue subpoenas for documents and witness attendance.
5) Reporting
- Deliver a final report within two years of the first meeting.
- Report contents to the Governor, the clerks of the Legislature, and the public.
- Include health impact assessments, recommended legislative/regulatory actions, and public education suggestions about food health.
6) Funding
- Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Fund for the biennium to fund Commission operations, including staff, research, hearings, and related expenses.
Impact and considerations
- Creates a structured, multi-disciplinary body to assess health risks associated with specific foods and additives.
- Involves a broad set of stakeholders (health professionals, nutrition experts, industry representatives, consumer advocates, farmers, and state agencies).
- Mandates a public-facing report with potential legislative or regulatory recommendations within two years.
- The funding and procedural tools (public hearings, subpoenas) enable an in-depth inquiry, though actual regulatory changes would depend on subsequent legislative actions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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