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RILEY BILL TO PROTECT N.J. FARMERS BY DOUBLING PENALTIES FOR FALSE ‘JERSEY FRESH’ LABELING RECIEVES FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Celeste Riley to protect New Jersey farmers and their products by doubling the penalties for falsely labeling items with the logo “Jersey Fresh” received final legislative approval on Monday by both houses.

The bill (A-2665), approved by a vote of 74-0 in the Assembly, doubles the penalties for misuse of the outline of the state on packaging of farm products, including the logo “Jersey Fresh,” to $100 for each offense. The bill also clarifies that each improperly labeled package would constitute a separate violation.

“Jersey Fresh is an instantly recognizable brand name that consumers know means high quality fresh and nutritious products,” said Riley (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem). “We need to protect this brand identity and the hard work of our farmers, especially amid a difficult economy that makes every dollar for our farmers count more than ever.”

Riley said the bill was suggested to her by farmers in her district, which includes Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem counties.

The bill also prohibits the use of the state outline on the advertising for farm products unless permitted by the Department of Agriculture. For a food processor to use the “Jersey Fresh” logo, they must first become licensed to use the Jersey Fresh logo and must use products that are inspected through the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program run by the Department of Agriculture.

“Those products must adhere to specific criteria for grading and quality,” Riley said. “This is a meaningful designation that isn’t taken lightly and must be enforced with harsher penalties for those who violate it.”

For more information about the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program, click here.

The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.