BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2539
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 14, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                      AB 2539 (Ting) - As Amended:  May 5, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              HealthVote:13-4

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill updates food safety provisions relating to certified  
          farmers markets (CFMs).  Specifically, among numerous other  
          provisions, this bill: 

          1)Requires foods like nuts and dried fruits that are ordinarily  
            consumed without prior washing by the consumer to be in  
            covered containers.

          2)Creates requirements for meat products. 

          3)Prohibits consumer self-serving of samples.

          4)Clarifies when temporary food facilities or vendors selling  
            backed goods can operate.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Negligible state fiscal effect.  

          Rules governing local food facilities, including CFMs, are  
          locally enforced.  As this bill merely clarifies and modifies  
          rules governing food safety at CFM and does not expand duties or  
          create a higher level of service, it is not expected to create  
          state-reimbursable mandate costs.

           COMMENTS  

           Purpose  .  According to the California Federation of Certified  
          Farmers' Markets (CFCFM), the source of this legislation, this  
          bill is needed to update the CA Retail Food Code sections  
          governing CFMs regarding the safe handling and display of food  








                                                                  AB 2539
                                                                  Page  2

          products sold at CFMs.  The proposal was in response to issues  
          brought forward by CFCFM members.  In general, these provisions  
          codify interpretations of existing law and rules currently  
          enforced by the CFAs. By placing these provisions into the  
          California Retail Food Code, this bill will require enforcement  
          by environmental health departments, with the intent of creating  
          consistency in enforcement across the state.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081