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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 9Pt. 3Ch. 4Art. 5§ 18786 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements

§ 18786 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18786 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements

This law says that meat or poultry products must have clear labels listing all ingredients, unless they're already covered by another rule. Spices and flavorings can just be called 'spices' or 'flavorings' without listing each one.

Key Takeaways

  • •Meat or poultry products must have labels with the names of all main ingredients.
  • •Spices, flavorings, and colorings can be listed as groups (e.g., 'spices') instead of naming each one.
  • •The director can make exceptions if following the rule is too hard or causes confusion.

Example

You buy a package of chicken sausages at the store.

The label must list all the main ingredients, like chicken, salt, and breadcrumbs. But it can just say 'spices' instead of listing each one like pepper or paprika.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18786 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements

A livestock or poultry product is misbranded if it is not subject to the provisions of Section 18784, unless its label bears the common or usual name of the food, if any, and in case it consists of two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each such ingredient. The director may, however, permit spices, flavorings, and colorings to be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings without naming each, and to the extent that compliance with the requirements of Section 18784 are impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, by granting exemptions that conform to the purposes of this chapter. (Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1385.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

misbrandedlivestock or poultry productcommon or usual namespices, flavorings, and coloringsexemptions

Related Statutes

  • § 18782 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements
  • § 18783 Livestock Labeling Requirements
  • § 18788 Livestock Product Labeling Requirements
  • § 18781 Livestock Product Misbranding Rules
  • § 18784 Livestock Product Labeling Standards

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 18786.
View Official Source