Nation IN BRIEF : COLORADO : Fruit Disparagement Bill Passes House

A bill that would require people to speak kindly of fruits and vegetables in Colorado, or face penalties, was approved by the Colorado House and sent to the governor. The measure would allow producers of perishable agricultural products to recover damages for malicious or negligent disparagement of their goods. Gov. Roy Romer has said that he believes there are adequate legal protections and the bill appears unnecessary. The bill’s critics have said the measure appeared to be unconstitutional because it had a chilling effect on free speech. Rep. Steve Acquafresca, an apple grower who sponsored the bill, said it is justifiable protection because growers in the state of Washington are just now recovering from “widespread hysteria” over Alar, a chemical that makes apples more red and attractive but allegedly is harmful to humans.