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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of raw milk and raw milk products; adding |
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a provision subject to a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 435, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Sections 435.0061, 435.0062, and |
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435.0063 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 435.0061. RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS FOR RETAIL |
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SALE. (a) This section does not authorize the sale of: |
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(1) raw milk or raw milk products to or on the premises |
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of a grocery store, supermarket, or similar retail market; |
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(2) raw milk or raw milk products that are a blend of |
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raw milk purchased from more than one holder of a permit issued |
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under this chapter; or |
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(3) raw milk or raw milk products by a person other |
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than the permit holder. |
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(b) Except as provided by Section 435.013, a person who |
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holds a permit that authorizes the person to sell raw milk or raw |
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milk products at retail may make retail sales of raw milk or raw |
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milk products directly to a consumer in this state at: |
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(1) the permit holder's place of business; |
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(2) the consumer's residence; or |
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(3) a farmers' market as defined by Section 437.020. |
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(c) Raw milk and raw milk products must be maintained in |
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compliance with Section 435.0063. |
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(d) A person who sells raw milk or raw milk products under |
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this section shall affix to individual raw milk or raw milk product |
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containers a label that includes: |
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(1) the name of the permit holder; |
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(2) the permit holder's permit number; |
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(3) the calendar date the raw milk or raw milk product |
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was packaged in the container; and |
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(4) the following statement: "This product contains |
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unpasteurized milk. Consuming raw foods, including raw dairy |
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products, may increase your risk of food-borne illness. Persons at |
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higher risk for food-borne illness include pregnant and nursing |
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women, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune |
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systems." |
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Sec. 435.0062. AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS ON RAW MILK TESTING. |
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On request, the department shall provide the requestor with a |
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record of test results from an inspection of raw milk or raw milk |
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products conducted under Section 435.004 or 435.005. |
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Sec. 435.0063. STORING, HANDLING, AND TRANSPORTING RAW MILK |
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AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS FOR RETAIL SALE. (a) The executive |
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commissioner shall adopt rules for the safe storing, handling, and |
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transporting of raw milk and raw milk products produced for sale |
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under Section 435.0061. |
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(b) Raw milk and raw milk products produced for retail sale |
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under this chapter must be placed in a sterile or single-use |
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container and sold not later than the fifth day after the date the |
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container was filled. |
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(c) Raw milk and raw milk products being transported for |
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delivery must be: |
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(1) maintained in air temperatures at or below 45 |
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degrees Fahrenheit at all times except during transfer from one |
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storage area or transportation vehicle to another; and |
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(2) protected from exposure to direct sunlight. |
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(d) The department or a local health authority may not |
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mandate the specific method for complying with a temperature |
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requirement. |
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(e) A producer may contract with another person to transport |
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and deliver raw milk and raw milk products in accordance with this |
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section. The producer is jointly and severally liable for |
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transport and delivery of raw milk and raw milk products not |
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conducted in accordance with this chapter and department rules. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |