CHAPTER 150. IMPORTED MEAT - Texas Statutes

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 6. PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND SALE OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS

SUBTITLE B. LIVESTOCK

CHAPTER 150. IMPORTED MEAT

SUBCHAPTER A. SALE OF IMPORTED FRESH MEAT

Sec. 150.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Fresh meat" means a quarter, half, or whole carcass of

beef, pork, or mutton or a cut or other part of the carcass that

has not been canned, cooked, or otherwise processed.

(2) "Ground meat" includes fresh meat subsequently ground or

commingled.

(3) "Imported fresh meat" means fresh meat imported from a

foreign nation. The term includes ground meat any part of which

is fresh meat imported from a foreign nation.

(4) "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership,

association, or corporation.

(5) "Retail store" means a grocery store, butcher shop,

delicatessen, or other place where fresh meat is sold at retail

for consumption off premises.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.02(a), eff. Aug.

26, 1991.

Sec. 150.002. LABELING OF IMPORTED FRESH MEAT. (a) A person

may not knowingly sell at wholesale or at a retail store any

imported fresh meat unless the person complies with the

requirements prescribed by this section.

(b) The requirements of Subsections (c) and (d) of this section

apply only to imported fresh meat offered for sale at wholesale

or at a retail store.

(c) A label or brand shall be placed on each quarter, half, or

whole carcass of imported fresh meat and on each individually

wrapped or packaged cut or other part of imported fresh meat.

(d) A label or sign shall be placed on each tray or case in

which unwrapped or unpackaged cuts or slices of imported fresh

meat are displayed for selection by a patron and on each tray or

other container in which imported fresh meat, including

hamburger, ground meat, or sausage, is displayed in bulk.

(e) The label, brand, or sign must contain the words "Product of

_____________" (nation of origin of the imported fresh meat) or

other words clearly indicating the nation of origin. The label or

sign for imported fresh meat described by Subsection (d) must be

conspicuous and legible.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.02(a), eff. Aug.

26, 1991.

Sec. 150.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an

offense if the person knowingly violates Section 150.002 of this

code.

(b) A first offense under this section is punishable by a fine

of not less than $25 nor more than $200. A subsequent offense

under this section is punishable by a fine of not less than $100

nor more than $500, confinement in the county jail for not less

than 30 days nor more than 90 days, or both.

(c) The Texas Department of Health shall enforce Section 150.002

of this code and shall file a sworn complaint against any person

who violates that section.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.02(a), eff. Aug.

26, 1991.

SUBCHAPTER B. PURCHASE OF IMPORTED BEEF BY STATE AGENCIES AND

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

Sec. 150.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Political subdivision" means a county or municipality or a

school, junior college, water, hospital, reclamation, or other

special-purpose district.

(2) "State agency" means an agency, department, board, or

commission of the state or a state eleemosynary, educational,

rehabilitative, correctional, or custodial facility.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.02(a), eff. Aug.

26, 1991.

Sec. 150.012. PURCHASE OF IMPORTED BEEF BY STATE AGENCY OR

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A state agency or political

subdivision may not purchase beef or a product consisting

substantially of beef that has been imported from outside the

United States.

(b) The Texas Department of Health shall enforce this section

and shall receive reports of violations of this section.

(c) The Texas Board of Health shall adopt rules for the

reporting of purchases covered by this section by state agencies

and political subdivisions and for the reporting of violations of

this section.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.02(a), eff. Aug.

26, 1991.