HB 2382 -- Food Storage and Transportation Safety

Sponsor:  Bivins

This bill specifies that any poisonous or deleterious substance
added to any food including by exposure to pathogens or
contaminants conveyed or introduced by shipping and storage on
pallets is prohibited and will be deemed an unsafe practice.
Upon confirmation of any food's exposure or contamination, the
pallet provider may be prohibited by injunction from selling,
renting, or using the pallet until the exposure and contamination
has been resolved.  The Department of Health and Senior Services
must establish rules for the protection of human health and
safety in regard to this type of contamination.

Any pallet used for the transportation, distribution, or storage
of food products for human consumption must be treated to
effectively eliminate pathogens and tested for the presence of
potential contaminants absorbed or introduced into or onto the
pallet.  The sale, rental, distribution, or supply of pallets
containing formaldehyde, including formaldehyde found in pallets
made with composite wood products, to any person in Missouri for
use with food or food grade goods is prohibited.  Any waste
material from contaminated pallets must be disposed of in
accordance with Missouri's solid and hazardous waste laws.
Pallet and pallet waste material must be recycled to the maximum
extent possible that they do not create a human health hazard by
recycling.

Beginning January 1, 2011, the Department of Agriculture, in
consultation with the departments of Conservation and Natural
Resources, must provide a report to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tem of the Senate
evaluating methods of preventing the importation of invasive
pests in or on wood pallets.  The report must include any
methods, costs, and benefits of commercially available treatments
which may prevent a threat to the health, environment, and
economy of the state.  After the report's submission, anyone who
knowingly provides pest-infested pallets into Missouri commerce
with reckless disregard for the potential to infest Missouri
lands, forests, or crops may be held liable for the damages
caused by the pest.

Beginning January 1, 2011, any pallet used for storing,
transporting, or distributing food for human consumption must be
listed under certain national standards in effect as of
December 31, 2009.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:13 pm