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SENATE
BILL 6471
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Passed
Legislature - 2002 Regular Session
State of Washington 57th Legislature 2002
Regular Session
By
Read first time 01/17/2002.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture & International Trade.
Requiring
labeling of the origin of fruits and vegetables grown in the United States or
grown in Washington state.
AN
ACT Relating to labeling of agricultural products by place of origin; adding a
new section to chapter 15.04 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A
new section is added to chapter 15.04 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
The legislature finds that it is a common practice for consumers to be provided
information as to the country origin for many products available to them for
purchase. The legislature finds that consumers have a right to know the origin
of the fresh fruits and vegetables being offered to them at retail sale. The
legislature finds that there is value to the consumer being able to make an
informed buying decision as to whether the fresh fruit or vegetable was
produced under standards and conditions required in the United States.
Further, the legislature finds that consumers should be given the ability to
make an informed choice to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown in
Washington state as a means of supporting the economy of the state.
(2)
Stores or other businesses offering fresh fruit and vegetables for retail sale
to consumers shall place a placard on the bin, shelf, or other location the
product is displayed that informs the consumer where the fruit or vegetable was
grown if it was grown in the United States or grown in Washington. The placard
shall indicate that the product was either "Grown in United States"
or "Grown in Washington." Placards are not required if (a) the product
was grown outside of the United States, or (b) each item in the bin, shelf, or
other location contains a sticker or label that indicates where the fruit or
vegetable product was grown.
(3) The department shall administer this section. If the store or
other retail location is found to be in violation of this section, for the
first violation per location each calendar year, the department shall issue a
warning. For a second violation for the same location in the same calendar
year, the department may issue a civil fine of up to two hundred fifty
dollars. For the third and subsequent violations for the same location in the
same calendar year, the department may issue a civil fine of up to one thousand
dollars.
