BILL NUMBER: AB 1216	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 2, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Evans

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to amend Section 29413 of the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to honey.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1216, as amended, Evans. Honey.
   Existing law defines "honey" for purposes of those provisions of
law that regulate the content, labeling, and container standards of
honey.
   This bill would  make a technical, nonsubstantive change
to that definition   establish a new definition of honey
for these purposes, including new technical standards, as specified,
the violation of which would be a crime under other provisions of
law  . 
   By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.  
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.  
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program:  no
  yes  .


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 29413 of the Food and Agricultural Code is
amended to read:
   29413.  "Honey" means the  nectar of floral exudations of
plants gathered and stored in the comb by honeybees. Honey is a
levorotatory, contains not more than 20 percent of water, not more
than 25 one hundredths of 1 percent of ash, not more than 8 percent
of sucrose, its specific gravity is not less than 1.412, its weight
not less than 11 pounds, 12 ounces per standard gallon of 231 cubic
inches at 68 degrees Fahrenheit.   natural food product
resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees and the natural
activities of the honeybees in processing nectar. It consists
essentially of different sugars, predominantly fructose and glucose
as well as other   substances such as organic acids,
enzymes, and solid particles derived from honey collection. The color
of honey can vary from nearly colorless to dark brown. The
consistency can be fluid, viscous, or partially to completely
crystallized. The flavor and aroma vary, but are derived from the
plant's origin. Honey sold as such shall not have added to it any
food additives, nor shall any other additions be made other than
honey. It shall not have begun to ferment or effervesce and no pollen
or constituent unique to honey may be removed except where
unavoidable in the removal of foreign matter. Chemical or biochemical
treatments shall not be used to influence honey crystallization.
Honey shall meet the following standards:  
   (a) Honey shall not have a moisture content exceeding 23 percent.
No water may be added to honey in the course of extraction or packing
for sale or resale as honey.  
   (b) The ratio of fructose to glucose shall be greater than 0.9.
Sucrose content shall not exceed 10 percent, except for lavender
(Lavandula) or borage (Borago officinalis) which may contain up to 15
percent sucrose. Maltose content shall not exceed 10 percent. 

   (c) The absolute value of Carbon Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis
shall be more negative than -20.0. 
   SEC. 2.    No reimbursement is required by this act
pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local
agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a
new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or
changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of
Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a
crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution.