SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5916

BYSenators Barr, Newhouse, Hansen, Madsen, Bailey, Anderson and Gaspard

Revising provisions on labeling meat.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989; February 28, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, Madsen, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:John Stuhlmiller (786-7446)

                  April 17, 1989

House Committe on Agriculture & Rural Development

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The inspection and labeling of meat is regulated under the federal Wholesome Meat Inspection Act.  The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for providing inspection services in most states, including Washington.

Federal law allows meat ground for retail sale to be labeled as to the larger cut from which it came (e.g. ground round or ground chuck).

Current state regulations do not allow labeling distinctions on ground meats.

SUMMARY:

Any licensed retail meat dealer who only trims, cuts or further grinds into smaller units meat that was inspected and packaged under federal inspection, shall be allowed to display on the label information from the label of the larger unit of meat.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Dick Ducharme, IBP (pro);  Ron Garrish, IBP; Geoff Gibbs, Washington State Food Dealers Association (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

The actions which a licensed retail meat dealer may take in making a larger unit of meat into a smaller one, while still displaying the information of the label of the larger unit on a smaller one, is limited to grinding or further grinding of the meat.