CHAPTER 14. Shelled Eggs [25995 - 25996.3]
( Chapter 14 added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 51, Sec. 1. )
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) According to the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Production, food animals that are treated well and provided with at least minimum accommodation of their natural behaviors and physical needs are healthier and safer for human consumption.
(b) A key finding from the World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Salmonella Risk Assessment was that reducing flock prevalence results in a directly proportional reduction in human health risk.
(c) Egg-laying hens subjected to stress are more likely to
have higher levels of pathogens in their intestines and the conditions increase the likelihood that consumers will be exposed to higher levels of food-borne pathogens.
(d) Salmonella is the most commonly diagnosed food-borne illness in the United States.
(e) It is the intent of the Legislature to protect California consumers from the deleterious, health, safety, and welfare effects of the sale and consumption of eggs derived from egg-laying hens that are exposed to significant stress and may result in increased exposure to disease pathogens including salmonella.
(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 51, Sec. 1. (AB 1437) Effective January 1, 2011.)
Commencing January 1, 2015, a shelled egg shall not be sold or contracted for sale for human consumption in California if the seller knows or should have known that the egg is the product of an egg-laying hen that was confined on a farm or place that is not in compliance with animal care standards set forth in Chapter 13.8 (commencing with Section 25990).
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 625, Sec. 1. (SB 667) Effective January 1, 2014.)
A person who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(Added by renumbering Section 25997 (as added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 51, Sec. 1) by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 317. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)
The provisions of this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare, including the Penal Code. This chapter shall not be construed to limit any state law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals, nor shall anything in this chapter prevent a local governing body from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare laws and regulations.
(Added by renumbering Section 25997.1 by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 318. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)