Updates to food and weed statutes proposed

Two bills that would make changes to state Department of Agriculture statutes were advanced from general file Feb. 2.

Under LB771, introduced by Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson, provisions of the 2009 Food Code would be incorporated into the Nebraska Pure Food Act. Carlson said enacting the new regulations would ensure a safe food supply.

“We have the safest, best food supply in the world,” Carlson said. “We want to keep it that way.”

Provisions of the Food Code to be added to the Nebraska Pure Food Act would:
• require that the person in charge of a food establishment demonstrate knowledge of food safety risks and mitigation;
• provide a consumer advisory regarding risks of consuming raw or undercooked meat;
• establish standards for preventing food contamination by hand;
• establish time and temperature standards for cooking animal foods; and
• require that new dishwashers be equipped with automatic detergent and sanitizer dispensers.

Senators voted to advance the bill to select file on a 38-0 vote.

LB770, also introduced by Carlson, would clarify the definition of noxious weeds used in the Nebraska Seed Law.

The bill would remove the specific names of noxious weeds and instead would refer to the “seeds of noxious weeds, as noxious weeds are designated in the Noxious Weed Control Act.” Carlson said the change would limit confusion about which noxious weeds fall under the act when the list is updated.

“This allows changes to be made without each one having to be listed,” Carlson said.

Senators voted to advance LB770 to select file on a 34-0 vote.