SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            HB 1227

 

    AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, MARCH 25, 1993

 

 

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

 

SPONSORS: Representatives R. Johnson, Chandler and Rayburn

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators M. Rasmussen, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Barr, Newhouse, and Snyder.

 

Staff:  John Stuhlmiller (786‑7446)

 

Hearing Dates: March 18, 1993; March 25, 1993

 

 

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 are amended to 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

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

The bill is needed by King County to properly prosecute violations of meat packaging laws.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Representative Johnson, prime sponsor