FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1572

                         C 232 L 91

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring additional labeling on salmon sold for human consumption.

By Representatives Spanel, Wilson, R. King, Morris, Haugen, Orr, Cole, Fuhrman, Padden, Kremen and Paris.

House Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Background:  Consumers in Washington State are protected from mislabeled foods sold within the state under both state and federal law.  Under state law, using false or misleading labels is generally defined as misbranding.  Some food items, such as halibut and poultry, have provisions that specifically describe certain acts that constitute misbranding.

The Department of Agriculture is the state agency primarily responsible for implementation of provisions that prohibit misbranding.  The department may issue an embargo of a misbranded food product or may seek an injunction through the attorney general, restraining a person from violating misbranding provisions.  Criminal penalties may also be sought against a violator.  For a second conviction, a violator may be subject to a maximum of 30 days in jail.

Summary:  Fresh or frozen salmon that is offered for retail sale must be labeled and advertised showing the common name of the salmon species, whether it is farm raised salmon or commercially caught salmon and whether it is domestic or imported salmon, and, if Washington-caught or Washington-grown, that it is Washington-caught or Washington-grown.

Violations of these provisions constitute misbranding.

The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Fisheries, must establish reasonable identification standards for salmon and develop a method to administratively enforce provisions of the bill.

The act is null and void unless specifically referenced by bill number in the omnibus appropriations act.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98   0

Senate 47   0    (Senate amended)

House  94   0    (House concurred)

Effective:    July 28, 1991