Section 21-339 - Markings on containers of crab meat; repacking crab meat. - Maryland Statutes

§ 21-339. Markings on containers of crab meat; repacking crab meat.
 

(a)  "Repack crab meat" defined.- In this section, "repack crab meat" means to take or remove crab meat from any container or package, when the crab meat has been picked from a crab at another location, and place that crab meat in another container or package. 

(b)  Markings generally.- Each container of crab meat shall be marked plainly with the information required by this section. 

(c)  Marking method.-  

(1) Each container of crab meat shall be marked by: 

(i) Embossing; 

(ii) Imprinting; 

(iii) Lithography; or 

(iv) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, any other method that the Department approves. 

(2) Unless approved by the Secretary, a container of crab meat may not be stamped with ink. 

(d)  Information required.-  

(1) Each container of crab meat shall be marked with: 

(i) A description of the product in the container; 

(ii) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the name and address of the picking plant or the distributor; 

(iii) If a chemical is added to the crab meat, a statement to that effect; 

(iv) The license number of the crab meat plant preceded by the State abbreviation applicable to the picking plant; 

(v) The net weight of the contents of the container; and 

(vi) Any other information that the Department requires. 

(2) If a container of crab meat is marked with the name of the distributor, the name of the distributor shall be: 

(i) Preceded by the words "packed for" or "distributed by"; or 

(ii) Followed by the word "distributor". 

(e)  False or misleading statements prohibited.- A person may not put any false or misleading statement on a container of crab meat. 

(f)  Repacking crab meat prohibited; restrictions regarding possession of containers or lids.-  

(1) A person may not repack crab meat or change crab meat containers or container lids with the intent to sell the crab meat except as provided by the Department. 

(2) (i) A person may not possess more than 12 empty crab meat containers or container lids unless the person: 

1. Is a manufacturer of containers or lids; 

2. Is a licensed crab meat packer and the containers or lids are the same as used by the packer in the ordinary course of business; 

3. Has removed the crab meat from the containers and lids for consumption on the premises; or 

4. Is in possession of the containers or lids as provided for by the Department. 

(ii) Possession of empty containers or crab meat container lids in violation of this section shall be presumptive evidence of intent to repack crab meat in violation of this Part VI of this subtitle. 

(iii) Possession of crab meat containers or crab meat container lids from which the crab meat has been consumed or cooked for consumption and which have been properly disposed of may not constitute presumptive evidence of intent to repack or change crab meat containers for sale. 

(g)  Country of origin labeling required.-  

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each container of crab meat sold in the State containing crab meat picked from a crab, packed, repacked, or processed outside of the United States shall be marked with the words "This product contains crab meat from (name of country of origin)". 

(2) The marking required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be prominently displayed in letters not smaller than 12-point type on the principal display panel of the container so as to be easily read by the consumer. 
 

[1987, ch. 297; 1992, ch. 498; 1994, ch. 734.]