(a) Any person may file a complaint with the director concerning suspected noncompliance with this article by a person over whom the director has responsibility as provided in this article or regulations adopted by the NOP.
(b) The director shall, to the extent funds are available, establish a procedure for handling complaints, including, provision of a written complaint form, and procedures for commencing an investigation within three working days of receiving a written complaint regarding fresh food, and within seven working days for other product, and completing an investigation and reporting findings and enforcement action taken, if any, to the complainant within 90 days thereafter.
(c) The director may establish minimum information requirements to determine the verifiability of a complaint and may provide for rejection of a complaint that does not meet the requirements. The director shall provide written notice of the reasons for rejection to the person filing the complaint.
(d) The responsibilities of the director under this section shall be carried out to the extent funds are available.
(e) The complaint process in this state shall also meet all the complaint processes outlined in regulations promulgated by the NOP.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 533, Sec. 67. Effective January 1, 2003.)