FISHER/BURZICHELLI/VAS BILL TO UPROOT FRAUD IN MARKETING OF FARM PRODUCE ADVANCES

FISHER/BURZICHELLI/VAS BILL TO UPROOT FRAUD IN MARKETING OF FARM PRODUCE ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assembly members Douglas H. Fisher, John Burzichelli and Joseph Vas sponsored to uproot the deliberate mislabeling and misbranding of farm produce as 'Jersey Fresh' and 'Jersey Grown' was released today from the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

"New Jersey must have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to consumer fraud and misrepresentation in farm products," said Fisher (D-Cumberland), chair of the farming panel. "Our farmers work hard to ensure the products that come from their farms meet the highest quality standards. We need to protect the integrity of our Garden state farms from unscrupulous distributers who have taken the well-know 'Jersey Fresh' label and slapped it on produce that is sub-par. "

Under state and federal law, it is illegal to misbrand any food product. The Consumer Protection Program of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs is charged with the responsibility to look into suspected violations. The sponsors of the measure want investigating and prosecuting mislabeled and misbranded agricultural products to be more of a priority.

The Fisher/Burzichelli/Vas measure (A-1431) would require the Secretary of Agriculture to investigate claims of deceptive or fraudulent labeling of farm products as "Jersey Fresh," "Jersey Grown," "Jersey Seafood," among other similarly labeled products. The bill would increase penalties for violations to fines of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

"Preventing attacks on the state's farming community will make a vital difference to individual farmers and the people who rely on the 'Jersey Fresh' label to support local agriculture," said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester).  "We need to be fair to farmers and consumers."

"For too long, dishonest distributers and sellers have taken consumers for a ride by abusing the name and good reputation of the 'Jersey Fresh' and 'Jersey Grown' labels," said Vas (D-Middlesex). "When consumers are lured by signs advertising Jersey tomatoes they deserve Jersey tomatoes, not produce flown in from California and stuffed into a mislabeled box."

The bill also would require the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to inform the Department of Agriculture when they investigate allegations of misbranding.

The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee released the bill 5-0. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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