SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2819

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 1992

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions relating to adulteration and misbranding of meat products.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development (originally sponsored by Representative R. Johnson)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Staff:  John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)

Hearing Dates: February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The state's Meat Inspection Act regulates the preparation, transportation, labeling, and sale of meat products.  It provides for inspections of establishments in which meat products are prepared for sale and prohibits the sale of misbranded or adulterated products.  The provisions of the act requiring the inspection of meat or meat products do not apply to operations traditionally conducted by retail meat dealers.

The preparation and sale of poultry products are regulated under the state's Wholesome Poultry Products Act.  The director of agriculture is required to exempt certain entities and operations from specific requirements of the act, including retail dealers who merely cut poultry products on the premises and sell them directly to consumers.  These exemptions may include exemptions from the adulteration and misbranding requirements of the act.

Under both acts, a carcass or meat product is considered to be misbranded if it or its container does not bear an official inspection mark or "legend."

SUMMARY:

The adulteration and misbranding provisions of the state's Meat Inspection Act apply to operations of retail meat dealers which are exempted from inspection under the act.  The misbranding restrictions imposed in this manner do not include the requirement that a product have an official inspection mark or legend.

The exemption from the provisions of the Wholesome Poultry Products Act provided to retail dealers who cut and sell poultry products to consumers, does not include an exemption from the adulteration or misbranding of products provisions of the Act.  The exemption may remove the requirement that a product bear an official inspection mark or legend.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested