Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1999 (Introduced in the Senate)

S 860 IS

106th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 860

To require country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States and to establish penalties for violations of the labeling requirements.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 22, 1999

Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. MACK, Mr. HOLLINGS, and Mr. LEVIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To require country of origin labeling of perishable agricultural commodities imported into the United States and to establish penalties for violations of the labeling requirements.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Imported Produce Labeling Act of 1999'.

SEC. 2. INDICATION OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF IMPORTED PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section, the terms `perishable agricultural commodity' and `retailer' have the meanings given the terms in section 1(b) of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930 (7 U.S.C. 499a(b)).

(b) NOTICE OF COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REQUIRED- A retailer of a perishable agricultural commodity imported into the United States shall inform consumers, at the final point of sale of the perishable agricultural commodity to consumers, of the country of origin of the perishable agricultural commodity.

(1) IN GENERAL- The information required by subsection (b) may be provided to consumers by means of a label, stamp, mark, placard, or other clear and visible sign on the imported perishable agricultural commodity or on the package, display, holding unit, or bin containing the commodity at the final point of sale to consumers.

(2) LABELED COMMODITIES- If the imported perishable agricultural commodity is already individually labeled regarding country of origin by the packer, importer, or another person, the retailer shall not be required to provide any additional information to comply with this section.

(d) VIOLATIONS- If a retailer fails to indicate the country of origin of an imported perishable agricultural commodity as required by subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture may impose a monetary penalty on the retailer in an amount not to exceed--

(1) $1,000 for the first day on which the violation occurs; and

(2) $250 for each day on which the same violation continues.

(e) DEPOSIT OF FUNDS- Amounts collected under subsection (d) shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.

(f) APPLICATION OF SECTION- This section shall apply with respect to a perishable agricultural commodity imported into the United States after the end of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section.