Sec. 22-56. Label requirements. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 22-56. Label requirements. Each container of agricultural or vegetable seed which is sold, offered for sale or exposed for sale or transported within this state for sowing purposes shall bear thereon or have attached thereto in a conspicuous place a plainly written or printed label or tag in the English language, giving the following information, which statement shall not be modified or denied in the labeling or on another label attached to the container:

      (a) For all seeds named and treated as defined in this chapter for which a separate label may be used: (1) A word or statement indicating that the seed has been treated; (2) the commonly accepted coined, chemical or abbreviated chemical (generic) name of the applied substance or description of the process used; (3) if the substance in the amount present with the seed is harmful to human or other vertebrate animals, a cautious statement such as "Do not use for food or feed or oil purposes." The caution for mercurials, and similarly toxic substances, shall be a poison statement or symbol, and (4) if the seed is treated with an inoculant, the date beyond which the inoculant is not considered effective (date of expiration).

      (b) For agricultural seeds, except for grass seed mixtures as provided in (c), (1) the commonly accepted name of the kind and variety, if known, of each agricultural seed component in excess of five per cent of the whole, and the percentage by weight of each in the order of its predominance. When more than one component is required to be named, the word "mixture" or the word "mixed" shall be shown conspicuously on the label; (2) the lot number or other lot identification; (3) the origin, if known, of alfalfa, red clover and field corn (except hybrid corn). If the origin is unknown, that fact shall be stated; (4) the percentage by weight of all weed seeds; (5) the name, rate and occurrence per pound of each kind of restricted noxious-weed seed present; (6) the percentage by weight of agricultural seeds other than those required to be named on the label; (7) the percentage by weight of inert matter; (8) for each named agricultural seed, (A) the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed, (B) the percentage of hard seed, if present, and (C) the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages. Following (A) and (B), a statement giving the total germination and hard seed may be added; (9) the name and address of the person who labeled such seed, or who sells or offers or exposes for sale such seed within this state.

      (c) For seed mixtures for lawn or turf purposes in containers of fifty pounds or less: (1) The word "mixed" or "mixture"; (2) the headings "fine textured grasses" and "coarse kinds", and thereunder in tabular form in type no larger than the heading: (A) The commonly accepted name, in order of its predominance of the kind, or the kind and variety, of each agricultural seed present in excess of five per cent of the whole and determined to be a "fine textured grass" or a "coarse kind" in accordance with the regulations under this chapter; (B) the percentage by weight of pure seed of each agricultural seed named; (C) for each agricultural seed named under (A) above: 1. The percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed; 2. the percentage of hard seed, if present; 3. the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentage; (3) the heading "other ingredients", and thereunder in type no larger than the heading: (A) The percentage by weight of all weed seeds; (B) the percentage by weight of all agricultural seeds other than those referred to under (2) (A) above; (C) the percentage by weight of inert matter; (4) the lot number or other lot identification; (5) the name and rate of occurrence per pound of each kind of restricted noxious-weed seed present; (6) the name and address of the person who labeled such seed, or who sells, offers or exposes such seed for sale within this state.

      (d) For vegetable seeds in containers of one pound or less: (1) The name of the kind and variety of seed; (2) for seeds which germinate less than the standard last established by the Commissioner of Agriculture under this chapter, (A) the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed; (B) the percentage of hard seed, if present; (C) the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentages, and (D) the words "below standard" in not smaller than eight point type; (3) the name and address of the person who labeled such seed, or who sells or offers or exposes for sale such seed within this state.

      (e) For vegetable seeds in containers of more than one pound: (1) The name of each kind of variety present in excess of five per cent and the percentage by weight of each in order of its predominance; (2) the lot number or other lot identification; (3) for each named vegetable seed, (A) the percentage of germination, exclusive of hard seed; (B) the percentage of hard seed, if present; (C) the calendar month and year the test was completed to determine such percentage. Following (A) and (B) the "total germination and hard seed" may be stated as such, if desired; (4) the name and address of the person who labeled such seed or who sells or offers or exposes for sale such seed within this state; (5) the labeling requirements for vegetable seeds in containers of more than one pound shall be deemed to have been met if the seed is weighed from a properly labeled container in the presence of the purchaser.

      (1949 Rev., S. 3095; 1957, P.A. 358, S. 3; 1959, P.A. 637, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 67; 1963, P.A. 75, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 872, S. 446, 448; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: 1959 act replaced commissioner of agriculture with commissioner of agriculture, conservation and natural resources; 1961 act replaced commissioner of agriculture, conservation and natural resources with commissioner of agriculture and natural resources; 1963 act revised and reorganized label requirements, incorporating in Subdiv. (a) requirements applicable to all seeds, moving requirements re agricultural seeds formerly in Subdiv. (a) to Subdiv. (b) and deleting requirements re specific plant seeds, adding provisions re lawn and turf grasses as Subdiv. (c), redesignating requirement re vegetable seeds formerly in Subdivs. (b) and (c) as (d) and (e) and changing weight basis for classification from three ounces to one pound; 1971 act replaced commissioner of agriculture and natural resources with commissioner of agriculture; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.