Committee advances bill to require phthalate testing of packaged foods; reporting requirement narrowed

House File 44, authored by Representative Emma Curran, would require food manufacturers to test packaged food products for ortho‑phthalates and make the test results publicly available. The House Agricultural Finance and Policy Committee adopted an author's A1 amendment that removed a requirement to file results with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill.

The bill prompted lengthy testimony from health professionals, consumer advocates and business groups. Proponents said testing and public disclosure are a minimal, necessary step to inform consumers and spur product changes. Lori Olinger, testifying for the Coalition for Plastic Reduction, said Consumer Reports found phthalates leaching into foods and argued that testing once every two years and publishing results…