The proposed bill establishes a new Panel on Food Safety within the Department of Public Health and Human Services, consisting of six members appointed by the governor and the speaker of the house. The panel's primary responsibilities include studying the cumulative effects of food additives and color additives, setting safe limits based on toxicity data, and advising the department on limiting the availability of harmful food products. The panel is required to meet quarterly and submit annual reports to the department, which will be made publicly accessible. Additionally, the bill outlines the qualifications for panel members, emphasizing the need for scientific expertise in relevant fields.

The bill also amends existing laws to empower the Department of Public Health and Human Services to adopt and enforce rules regarding food additives and color additives identified by the panel as having negative effects. This includes the authority to limit the availability of such food products based on cumulative effects analysis. The amendments to sections 50-1-202, 50-31-108, 50-31-109, and 80-1-104 of the Montana Code Annotated reflect these changes, ensuring that the department collaborates with the United States Food and Drug Administration in these efforts. The bill aims to enhance public health protections by regulating potentially harmful substances in the food supply.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 50-1-202, 50-31-108, 50-31-109, 80-1-104