BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1216
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 13, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1216 (Evans) - As Amended: May 4, 2009
Policy Committee: AgricultureVote:8
- 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill changes the definition of honey for labeling purposes
to conform to new standards. Specifically, this bill:
1)Defines "honey" to mean the natural food product resulting
from the harvest of nectar by honeybees and the natural
activities of the honeybees in processing nectar.
2)Prohibits any honey sold from having added to it any food
additives or other additions. In addition, it prohibits the
selling of honey that has begun to ferment or effervesce. Nor
shall chemical or biochemical treatments be used to influence
honey crystallization.
3)Designates products conforming to the standards established as
"honey."
4)Allows honey to be designated according to floral or plant
source if it comes predominantly from that particular source.
FISCAL EFFECT
There are no significant costs associated with this legislation
because the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
is not enforcing the current definition of honey in state law.
If they were to enforce laws surrounding honey they would likely
need several hundred thousand dollars to create an enforcement
program. Traditionally, within CDFA those programs are funded
through an industry assessment.
COMMENTS
AB 1216
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1)Rationale . Deceptively labeled and misbranded products, and
adulteration of honey with other sweeteners or compounds are
growing problems; and their increasing presence in the market
is severely and adversely affecting honey prices, and
threatens the image and reality of honey as a pure, natural
and healthy sweetener.
According to the author, this bill is intended to adopt a
standard of identity for honey based on the Revised Codex
Standard for Honey, which defines honey and establishes rules
on its essential composition and quality. AB 1216 is intended
to protect the standard of honey and to protect honey
consumers, honey packers, and honey producers from false,
deceptive, and misleading product labeling.
2)The Codex Standard . The standard covers all honey produced by
honey bees (Apis mellifera) and all styles of honey destined
for direct consumption. It does not cover honey for further
processing or honey which is destined for ingredient use.
This worldwide standard has been internationally agreed by 167
countries which participate in Codex. In 2001, the Revised
Codex Standard for Honey was adopted by the 24th Session of
the Codex Alimentarius Commission (comprised of members of the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and
the World Health Organization).
3)Committee Suggestion . The author may wish to consider whether
she would like to expand this legislation to create an
enforcement program within CDFA and create the authority for
the CDFA secretary to establish an industry assessment to
cover the costs of the program.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081