2015 -- H 5587

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LC001180

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - MILK SANITATION CODE

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Filippi, Ajello, Costantino, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2015

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 21-2-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-2 entitled "Milk

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Sanitation Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     21-2-31. Labeling of containers of milk and milk products. -- (a) All containers in or

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from which milk or milk products are sold or offered for sale shall bear a label in accordance with

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regulations adopted under this chapter.

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      (b) All labels or marks shall be displayed in the manner and include any matters as shall

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be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the director; provided, nothing contained in this

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section shall be construed to empower the director to disapprove of or to change any dealer from

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using the common name of his or her firm, or of any registered trademark, brand, or trade name

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customarily used by him or her in the identification of any or all of his or her products.

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      (c) Samples of all labels or marks to be used on containers of milk or milk products shall

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be submitted for approval as to color, size of lettering, and matter. No misleading mark or words

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shall be placed on any container of milk or milk products. The cap or cover of all containers of

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milk or milk products must cover the pouring lip to at least its largest diameter.

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     (d) All labels or marks required under this chapter shall include information concerning

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whether the milk or milk product has been genetically modified or engineered.

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     (e) For purposes of this chapter, "genetically engineered" or "genetically modified"

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means a process whereby milk intended for human consumption: (1) Is produced from an

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organism or organisms in which the genetics are materially altered through the application of: (i)

 

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In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) techniques,

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the direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles, encapsulation, gene deletion and

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doubling; or (ii) Methods of fusing cells that do not fall within the same taxonomic family, that

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overcome natural physiological reproductive or recombinant barriers and that are not techniques

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used in traditional breeding and selection such as conjugation, transduction and hybridization; (2)

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Is treated with a material described subdivision (1) of this subsection, except manure that is used

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as a fertilizer for a raw agricultural commodity; or (3) Contains an ingredient, component, or

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substance described in subdivision (1) of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - MILK SANITATION CODE

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     This act would require that labels or marks on milk or milk products include information

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disclosing whether such milk or milk product has been genetically engineered or modified.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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