2013 Minnesota Statutes

32.475 BUTTER, GRADING AND LABELING.

Subdivision 1.Definitions.

As used in this section, score or grade means the grading of butter by its examination for flavor and aroma, body and texture, color, and salt, and by the use of other tests or procedures approved by the commissioner of agriculture, for ascertaining the quality of butter in whole or in part.

Subd. 2.Minnesota grades.

It is unlawful to sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in possession with intent to sell any butter at retail unless it has been graded and labeled with such grades as follows:

(a) Grade, Minnesota, AA -- U.S. Grade AA

(b) Grade, Minnesota, A -- U.S. Grade A

(c) Grade, Minnesota, B -- U.S. Grade B

(d) Grade, Minnesota, undergrade -- all butter below Minnesota B.

For the purposes of this section "sale at retail" shall include all sales to a restaurant or eating establishment that serves butter to its patrons or that uses butter in the preparation of any food which is served to its patrons.

Subd. 3.United States grades.

United States AA, A and B grades, or as such grades may be amended or as they may be administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, shall be accepted in lieu of the corresponding Minnesota AA, A and B grades, but all United States grades below B shall, for the purpose of this section, correspond to Minnesota undergrade.

Subd. 4.Methods and procedures, promulgation by commissioner of agriculture.

Methods and procedures to be used for ascertaining quality, grades, grading, labeling, and for arbitrating disputes with respect to grades may be promulgated by the commissioner of agriculture.

Subd. 5.Foreign butter.

Butter from outside of the state of Minnesota sold within this state shall comply with the state grade and labeling standards provided in this section; and, unless marked with United States AA, A, and B grades, shall indicate the grade in a manner equivalent to the requirements for butter manufactured and sold within this state.

Subd. 6.Advertisement for retail sale, indication of grade.

Any advertisement of butter offered for sale at retail to the public at a given price shall plainly and conspicuously indicate the grade of such butter.

Subd. 7.Penalty.

Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

History:

1955 c 219 s 1; 1957 c 145 s 1; 1971 c 23 s 5; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 63