Mercury – Let people know of warnings so they can make healthy choices:
The public has a right to know about which fish are safe to eat, and which contain high levels of mercury, so they can pick healthy fish to eat. Exposure to mercury can impact the developing brains and nervous systems of children and babies and lead to permanent brain damage, delays in walking and talking, sensory deficits and learning disabilities.
Posting the Food and Drug Administration warning at grocery stores will help people make safe choices. This is especially important for pregnant women, nursing mothers and parents of young children. Taking in mercury increases cardiac risks for adult men.
Grocery store shark, king mackerel, swordfish and tilefish are the fish that have had high mercury levels, and the FDA has had warnings in place for years now.
Take Action - Contact the Senate and let them know you support HB681
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
Chair: Sen. Jane Nelson (512) 463-0112, Lewisville
Vice Chair: Sen. Bob Deuell 512-263-0102, Greenville
Members: Sen. Joan Huffman 512-463-0117, Houston
Sen. Robert Nichols, 512-463-0103, Jacksonville
Sen. Dan Patrick, 512-463-0107, Houston
Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, 512-463-0129, El Paso
Sen. Carlos Uresti, 512-463-0119, San Antonio
Sen. Royce West, 512-463-0123, Dallas
Sen. Judith Zaffirini, 512-463-0121, Laredo
Kyle Baurm – committee clerk – 512-463-0360
Emails:
Leticia.vandeputte@senate.state.tx.us
Jane.Nelson@senate.state.tx.us
Joan.Huffman@senate.state.tx.us
Dan.Patrick@senate.state.tx.us
Eliot.Shapleigh@senate.state.tx.us
Carlos.Uresti@senate.state.tx.us
Royce.West@senate.state.tx.us
Judith.Zaffirini@senate.state.tx.us
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HB 681 - relating to requiring warning signs regarding mercury levels in certain fish.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1 Chapter 437, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 437.022 to read as follows:
Sec. 437.022. AWARNING SIGN REGARDING MERCURY LEVELS IN
CERTAIN FISH. (a) A retail fish dealer shall post a warning sign in
a conspicuous location where it is readily visible by persons
purchasing fresh or previously frozen fish. The department by rule
shall specify the size and graphic design of the sign. The sign
must contain the following wording:
ATTENTION WOMEN CONSIDERING BECOMING PREGNANT, PREGNANT
WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS, AND PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Some fish and shellfish, especially large fish such as shark,
swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, may contain high levels of
mercury that may harm the developing nervous system of a child.
For more information about the risks of mercury in fish and
shellfish call the Texas Department of State Health Services ’ food
information line toll-free at (insert toll-free telephone number).
(b) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
section.
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Related Factsheets: