Repealing sections of rule no longer utilized by the Fresh Industry and amending rules regarding containers and labeling.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

20-39.001All Containers Must be Approved

20-39.002Approved Containers

20-39.003Approved Boxes

20-39.004Approved Bags

20-39.005Corrugated Bagmaster Containers

20-39.006Bulk Shipments

20-39.007Oranges - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton

20-39.008Grapefruit - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton

20-39.009Tangerines - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton

20-39.010Approved Sizes, and Pack for Container No. DOC-17-WP

20-39.011Additional General Provisions

20-39.012Experimental Containers

20-39.013Stamping or Labeling of Fruit and Containers

20-39.014Exemptions

20-39.015Misbranding of Fruit or Containers

20-39.016PIQ Program

20-39.017Organic Grove Registration Program

20-39.018Standard Containers

20-39.019Stamping or Labeling of Fruit and Containers

20-39.020Misbranding of Fruit or Containers

20-39.021PIQ Program

20-39.022Organic Grove Registration Program

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Repealing sections of rule no longer utilized by the Fresh Industry and amending rules regarding containers and labeling.

SUMMARY: Repeal of out-of-date rules and rewording of chapter.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: upon review of the proposed new rule, the department has determined that the rule will not exceed any one of the economic analysis criteria in a SERC as set forth in Section 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 601.10(1),(7), 601.11 FS

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 601.02(4), 601.091, 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.45 FS

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: May 16, 2018, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Alice Wiggins, Legal Assistant, P O Box 9010, Bartow, FL 33831 or [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

20-39.001 All Containers Must Be Approved. 

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.11 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-39.01, Repromulgated 12-27-92, Amended 10-22-95, Repealed             .

 

20-39.002 Approved Containers.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), 601.11, 601.85 FS.  Law Implemented 601.11, 601.85 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-39.02, Repromulgated 12-27-92, Repealed                     .

 

20-39.003 Approved Boxes.

Rulemaking Authority 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.11 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(a), Amended 1-1-75, 8-16-75, 8-11-77, 8-1-78, 8-21-79, 1-15-80, 10-20-80, 5-1-81, 9-1-82, 11-6-83, 10-21-84, 1-1-85, Formerly 20-39.03, Amended 9-11-86, 12-20-87, 10-14-90, 8-23-92, 10-18-92,1-19-93, 5-23-93, 10-10-93, 1-9-94, 10-16-94, 8-29-95, 10-13-96, 10-26-97, 12-6-98, 2-20-01, 12-26-01, 4-27-03, 10-21-03, 3-22-05, 1-20-09, Repealed                 .

 

20-39.004 Approved Bags.

Rulemaking Authority 601.11(1) FS. Law Implemented 601.11 FS.  History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(d), Amended 1-1-75, Amended 8-16-75, 8-1-78, 10-18-78, 3-16-80, 10-20-80, 5-1-81, 11-20-85, Formerly 20-39.05, Amended 9-11-86, 9-6-87, 7-21-91, 10-18-92, 1-19-93, 5-23-93, 10-13-96, 10-26-97, Repealed                 .

 

20-39.006 Bulk Shipments. 

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS.  Law Implemented 601.02(4), (5), 601.10(7), 601.11 FS.

History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(e), Amended 1-1-75, 8-16-75, 8-1-78, 10-18-78, 3-16-78, Formerly 20-39.06, Repromulgated 12-27-92, Repealed                 .

 

20-39.007 Oranges - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1),(7) FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7), 601.02(4),(5) FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(b)1.,2., Amended 1-1-75, Amended 1-15-80, 8-31-80, Formerly 20-39.07, Amended 12-27-92, 5-23-93, 10-13-96, Repealed                   .

 

20-39.008 Grapefruit - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1),(7), 601.11, 601.18(5) FS. Law Implemented 601.02(4),(5), 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.18(5) FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(b),(3), Amended 1-1-75, Amended 1-1-75, 4-15-75, 8-1-75, 3-16-80, Formerly 20-39.08, Amended 12-27-92, 5-23-93, 10-13-96, Repealed                  .

 

20-39.009 Tangerines - Approved Sizes, and Pack for Determining Sizes in Standard Carton.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7) FS. Law Implemented 601.02(4), (5), 601.10(7) FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(1)(b), (4), Amended 1-1-75, Amended 1-15-80, 8-31-80, Formerly 20-39.09, Amended 12-27-92, 5-23-93, 10-13-96, Repealed                .

 

20-39.010 Approved Sizes, and Pack for Container No. DOC-17-WP.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.15(3)(b) FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(2), Amended 1-1-75, Amended 3-1-76, 4-15-76, 10-18-78, 5-1-81, Formerly 20-39.11, Amended 8-23-92, 12-27-92, 5-23-93, 12-21-93, 10-13-96, Repealed                .

 

20-39.012 Experimental Containers.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.11 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(3), Amended 1-1-75, Amended 9-1-76, 11-24-76, 5-1-81, 10-21-84, Formerly 20-39.12, Amended 12-27-92, 6-14-93, 10-13-96, Repealed                .

 

20-39.013 Stamping or Labeling of Fruit and Containers.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.02(4), (5), 601.091, 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.45 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(4), Amended 1-1-75, 2-2-76, 2-16-77, 8-1-77, 10-3-77, 2-21-83, 7-20-83, Formerly 20-39.13, Amended 12-17-91, 3-22-92, 10-14-92, 1-19-93, 5-23-93, 12-21-93, 11-29-94, 8-30-95, 2-19-14, Repealed                .

 

20-39.014 Exemptions.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1),(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.50, 601.9911 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(5), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-39.14, Amended 12-27-92, Repealed                .

20-39.015 Misbranding of Fruit or Containers.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.11, 601.99 FS. History--Formerly 105-1.03(6), Amended 1-1-75, Formerly 20-39.15, Repromulgated 12-27-92, Amended 8-30-95, Repealed              .

 

20-39.016 PIQ Program.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7) FS. History--New 8-30-95, Repealed  __________.

 

20-39.017 Organic Grove Registration Program.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.99, 601.731 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7), 601.99, 601.731 FS. History--New 4-22-03, Repealed                    .

 

20-39.018 Standard Containers.

(1) The standard legal shipping box used for determining size for shipping fresh citrus fruits shall be a 4/5-bushel container with the following inside body dimensions in length, width and depth: 17 x 10 5/8 x 9 5/8 inches; 16 1/4 x 10 11/16 x 9 9/16 inches; or 16 3/8 x 10 5/8 x 9 1/2. The standard legal shipping container shall be used to determine size & fill requirements.

(2) For determining size, fruit in a place-packed container shall be considered properly sized and the carton well-filled when at least one-half of the top layer of fruit are not more than one-half inch below the top or one inch above the top of a standard container as defined in section (1).

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), 601.11, 601.85 FS.  Law Implemented 601.11, 601.85 FS. History—New           .

20-39.019 Stamping or Labeling of Fruit and Containers.

(1) Content: When citrus fruit is shipped in any container, the contents, in terms of minimum numerical count or weight or the volume content in terms of bushels, standard shipping boxes or fractions thereof, shall be stamped or printed thereon, or on a tag attached to, or inserted in, the container.

(a) Weight: When citrus fruit is packed in containers, it shall be sufficient if the weight only is stamped on the container.

(b) Size: Where content is labeled by size and count, it shall be sufficient if the size only is stamped on the container, unless the count is different from that indicated by the size, in which case both the minimum count and size shall be stamped on the container.

(c) Bags: If citrus fruit is shipped in bags stamped or printed to indicate the contents in terms of a fractional box, and the bag, or an attached or inserted tag, indicates the size of fruit, the count of fruit in the bag shall not be less than the fractional part of the standard shipping box count for the size fruit indicated on the bag.

(2) Grade - Boxes.

(a) When citrus fruit is sold, shipped or offered for sale or shipment by common carrier or otherwise, enclosed in any container, it shall be sufficient if the grade be conspicuously stamped on the closed container in plainly legible bold-face type. 

(b) The shipper or seller using closed containers, instead of marking the grade on the container, shall have the option of using brands or trademarks which are registered with the Department of Citrus to represent specific grades.  Whenever the label to be used to represent the grade is not placed on the container before or at the time the container is filled, the grade shall be stamped on the container, utilizing the space where the label will be placed if desired.

(3) Name and Address of Shipper, Coding and Records - Boxes.

(a) The packing house registration number or the name and Florida address of a registered shipper or licensed citrus fruit dealer that packs or distributes the fruit, shall be clearly and permanently indicated on the container, in plainly legible bold-face type.

(b) All shippers and packers shall maintain sufficient coding of all containers and shall prepare and maintain product coding and distribution records to facilitate effective product recall and identification of the packinghouse that physically packed the fruit.  Such records will be available to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture upon request.

(4) Grade and Name and Address of Shipper - Bags.

(a) When bags are used as containers for the sale or shipment of citrus fruit, the grade of the fruit and the name and address of the shipper must be printed or stamped on each bag, or on a proper tag attached to or inserted in the bag.  If a brand or trademark is used on the bag, attached tag or inserted tag, to represent the grade, such brand or trademark must be reproduced the same as it is registered with the Department of Citrus for grade purposes.

(b) Type size used to indicate the grade or brand name shall be plainly legible.  Type size used to indicate the name and address of the shipper shall be plainly legible.

(5) Designation of Origin.

No labeling may be used that indicates any state other than Florida as the origin of the fruit.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.02(4), (5), 601.091, 601.10(7), 601.11, 601.45 FS.  History—New                    .

 

20-39.020 Misbranding of Fruit or Containers.

The following practices in handling citrus fruit grown in this state are prohibited and violation shall subject the offender to prosecution as provided by law:

(1) Application of any word, phrase, or descriptive design to the skin of any citrus fruit which falsely indicates that the fruit was grown in a particular area or locality

(2) To sell, ship or offer for sale or shipment any citrus fruit when the individual fruit or the package, wrapper or container thereof bears any false or misleading statement, design or device regarding the name, size or quality of such fruit, the locality in which it was grown or the net contents of the container.

(3) In recognition of various customs and usages in different markets, for the purpose of this rule, it shall not be considered a misleading statement to indicate “pink” varieties as “red” on the shipping container.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.11, 601.99 FS. History—New                      .

 

20-39.021 PIQ Program.

Packinghouses approved by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Fruit and Vegetables to operate under the PIQ (Partners in Quality) program shall comply with all provisions of this chapter.  Inspection for compliance shall be in a manner prescribed by “Specifications for PIQ Program Quality Assurance Systems” dated July 2007, incorporated herein by reference.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(1), (7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7) FS. History--New                .

 

20-39.022 Organic Grove Registration Program.

To aid enforcement of proper citrus fruit labeling and to assist with estimates of organic citrus fruit volumes, an Organic Grove Registration Program shall be established as herein provided.

(1) All groves from which organic citrus fruit is placed into commercial channels shall, upon certification and by August 1 of each year, be registered with Division of Fruit & Vegetables, License and Bond.

(2) The registration form shall include documentation of current organic certification, the USDA accredited certifying agent name, organic certificate number, the name of the grove property owner, the grove location referenced in Global Positioning System coordinates, the varieties of citrus fruit, an estimate of current season production in boxes, and such other information as may be deemed necessary by Florida Department of Citrus.

(3) All organic citrus fruit placed in commercial channels shall be harvested from groves certified by a USDA accredited certifying agent and shall be accompanied by an organic trip ticket when transported on highways of this state.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.99, 601.731 FS. Law Implemented 601.10(7), 601.99, 601.731 FS. History--New               .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Elliott Mitchell, General Counsel

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Citrus Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 21, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 23, 2018