AB 575

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

Protection (DATCP) to promulgate rules that establish standards for products sold

as honey and standards for the testing by private laboratories of samples submitted

by persons who wish to sell honey produced in this state as Wisconsin certified honey.

The standards for honey must be consistent with the standard for honey under the

Codex Alimentarius of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

and the World Health Organization.

The bill prohibits labeling a product as Wisconsin certified honey or implying

that a product is Wisconsin certified honey, unless the product has been determined

by testing to meet the standards established by DATCP, DATCP has approved a

summary of the testing, and the product was produced in this state. Under the bill,

DATCP investigates violations of this prohibition and may bring an action to enjoin

violations.

The bill also prohibits labeling a product as honey or implying that a product

is honey, unless the product meets the standards established by DATCP. Any person

who suffers damages as a result of a violation of this prohibition may bring an action

against the violator to recover the amount of the person's damages or $1,000,

whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees.