FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1227

                         C 166 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Changing misbranding and adulteration provisions for meat and poultry products.

By Representatives R. Johnson, Chandler and Rayburn.

House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development

Senate Committee on Agriculture

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 inspection provisions 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 the Department of Agriculture is required to exempt certain entities and operations from specific requirements of the act, including a retail dealer regarding poultry products which are sold directly to consumers at a retail store.  These exemptions may apply to the adulteration and misbranding requirements of the act.

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.

Any exemption from the provisions of the Wholesome Poultry Products Act provided to retail dealers regarding the sale of poultry products to consumers does not include an exemption from the provisions of the act prohibiting the adulteration or misbranding of products.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 45 0

Effective:  July 25, 1993