H. B. 2382


(By Delegates Doyle and Manuel )
[Introduced January 26, 1999; referred to the
Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.]



A BILL to amend and reenact section four, article eleven-a, chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, relating to agriculture; dairy and imitation dairy products; and requiring labels to contain information if the animals producing the products were treated with any natural or synthetic substance or chemical compound.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That section four, article eleven-a, chapter nineteen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 11A. DAIRY PRODUCTS AND IMITATION DAIRY PRODUCTS LAW.
§19-11A-4. Labeling.

(a) All packages of dairy products or imitation dairy products shall have a label upon or affixed to the package. The label shall be legible and of a print size and style easily readable by the ordinary citizen. The information required in this section shall be on each label and shall be stated in English.
(b) The label shall contain the following information:
(1) The name of the product;
(2) The quantity of the contents;
(3) The name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor: Provided, That the manufacturer's plant code or name and address shall always appear on the label for Grade "A" products; and
(4) Such other information as the commissioner shall require requires by rule, including the requirement that the label shall contain the identification of any natural or synthetic substance or chemical compound used to treat or given any animal producing any dairy product.




NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the label on dairy products to include the identification of any natural or synthetic substance or chemical compound used to treat any animal producing any dairy product.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.