***MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE*** Measure to License Nutritionists Clears Assembly Panel

MEASURE TO LICENSE NUTRITIONISTS CLEARS ASSEMBLY PANEL

Bill Would Create Qualification Standards for New Jersey Dieticians and Nutritionists

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblyman Herb Conaway, M.D. and Assemblywoman Connie Wagner sponsored to license New Jersey dieticians and nutritionists to ensure they meet education and training standards was released today by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.

A multimedia package on the legislation, consisting of a video commentary by the sponsors and audio of same also is included.  The video commentary can be accessed directly via our Web site, www.assemblydems.com, or by clicking here.  The audio file is available upon request.

"New Jersey is one of only four states with no licensure requirement for dieticians and nutritionists," said Conaway, a practicing physician (D-Burlington).  "Currently, there is no clear way for New Jerseyans to validate the expertise they rely on to play an important role in the maintenance of their health.  By setting basic standards for all dieticians to meet, we can protect New Jersey consumers from improper nutritional counseling that can have serious, adverse, and lasting impacts on their health."

The Dietician/Nutritionist Licensing Act (A-2933) would establish standards for education and experience for practicing dieticians and nutritionists in New Jersey.  The bill would require every individual who provides nutrition advice, whether or not they receive compensation, to hold a valid license to practice in New Jersey.

"Just because someone eats right does make them an expert in diet and nutrition," said Wagner (D-Bergen).  "We have a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of New Jersey consumers.  This will ensure those concerned with healthy eating are receiving advice from an educated and trained professional."

Dietitians and nutritionists play an important role in maintaining health throughout the course of life and in treating illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, acute injury and other medical conditions.

Professional nutritional advice also can improve the quality of life for infants, children, pregnant women, elderly people, impoverished individuals, people who are overweight, the chronically and terminally ill, and fitness enthusiasts.

Under the bill, a nutritionist would be required to be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character and have received a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in nutritional sciences, human nutrition, foods and nutrition, dietetics, community nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition education or an equivalent major course of study.

Exemptions from the licensing requirements would be granted to licensed physicians, dietetic technicians working under the supervision of a licensed nutritionist, employees of the United States Public Health Service, and individuals dispensing general advice regarding the use of nutritional supplements among other limited cases.

Dietetics/nutrition is the integration and application of scientific principles derived from the study of food, nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, and food management.  It also includes the study of behavioral and social sciences to achieve and maintain health, while also providing medical nutrition therapy for the treatment of certain diseases.

The committee released the measure 9 to 2.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

--30--