STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3281

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2307

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to provide education and support to local businesses regarding the Food and Drug Administration's industry guidance on colored sea salt.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Hawai‘i Farm Bureau. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the demand for Hawaii-made sea salts and sea salt products is increasing. Many such salts and salt products contain color additives that may require approval through the Food and Drug Administration's color additive petition process. However, not all producers have the resources or information necessary to obtain approval from the Food and Drug Administration. This measure helps producers obtain approval by appropriating funds for the Department of Agriculture to educate and support local businesses regarding the approval process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair