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AB-2253 Food labels: free range.(2007-2008)

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AB2253:v98#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 03, 2008

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2007–2008 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2253

Introduced  by  Assembly Member Torrico

February 20, 2008

An act relating to food labels.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2253, as amended, Torrico. Food labels: free range: grass-fed. range.
Existing state law generally regulates the labeling of agricultural products produced and sold in this state. California. Existing federal law, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, generally regulates the processing and labeling of poultry products, but does not define “free range.”
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to define the terms “free range” and “grass-fed” as they relate to the labeling of animal products and animal byproducts require the Department of Food and Agriculture, before January 1, 2010, to develop criteria for the use of the claim “California Certified Free Range” for poultry products, as specified. The bill would authorize poultry and poultry products that comply with those criteria to bear the words, or be held out as, “California Certified Free Range” before being offered for sale.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION. 1.

 (a) On or before January 1, 2010, the Department of Food and Agriculture shall develop criteria for the use of the claim “California Certified Free Range” for poultry products. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, access to secure shelter, the degree of accessibility to the outdoor area, and requirements for the condition of the outdoor area, which should include the amount of vegetative ground cover, nesting areas, available shade, areas of retreat, and access to food and water. In developing the criteria, the department shall solicit input from both public and private entities.
(b) Before being offered for retail sale, poultry and poultry products that were produced in this state and certified by the department to meet the criteria developed pursuant to subdivision (a) may be advertised, labeled, described, sold, or marked with the words, or otherwise held out as, “California Certified Free Range.”
SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to define the terms “free range” and “grass-fed” as they relate to the labeling of animal products and animal byproducts.