South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 5, is a comprehensive set of rules administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). This chapter covers a vast array of topics related to the state's agricultural industry, consumer protection, and fair trade practices.
The SCDA's mission is to promote and regulate agriculture in the state, ensuring the integrity of agricultural products, protecting consumers, and supporting farmers and agribusinesses. Chapter 5 outlines the specific regulations and standards through which the SCDA fulfills these responsibilities.
Here's a breakdown of the typical articles and key areas covered in Chapter 5:
1. Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act:
This is a significant part of the chapter, often divided into subarticles for various commodities (e.g., soybeans, peaches, etc.). It establishes marketing orders which allow producers of certain agricultural commodities to collectively promote their products, conduct research, and regulate quality standards.
These rules often detail the election and duties of commodity boards, assessments (fees) on producers to fund marketing efforts, and procedures for amending or terminating marketing orders.
2. State Farmers Market:
Regulations pertaining to the operation and management of the State Farmers Market, ensuring fair practices for vendors and consumers.
3. Commercial Feeding Stuffs:
Rules governing the manufacture, labeling, distribution, and sale of commercial feed for livestock and poultry. This includes requirements for nutrient content, ingredient disclosure, and sanitation to ensure animal health and product quality.
4. Eggs:
Regulations concerning the grading, labeling, handling, and sale of eggs to ensure quality and safety for consumers. This often includes standards for egg size, quality (e.g., AA, A, B), and refrigeration.
5. Enriched Products:
Rules related to the enrichment of certain food products (e.g., flour, bread) with vitamins and minerals to address nutritional deficiencies in the population.
6. Food and Cosmetics:
This is a broad and critical section covering various aspects of food safety and consumer protection for food manufacturers, processors, and packers.
Permitting: Requires businesses manufacturing, processing, or packing food to obtain a permit from the SCDA.
Sanitation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs): Sets standards for facility hygiene, equipment, personnel practices, and storage to prevent contamination.
Labeling: Requirements for accurate and informative labeling of food products.
Adulteration and Misbranding: Prohibits the sale of adulterated (unsafe or impure) or misbranded (falsely labeled) food and cosmetic products.
Retail Food Safety: The SCDA also has a significant role in inspecting and permitting retail food establishments like restaurants, grocery stores, and food trucks, often referencing federal FDA Food Code standards.
Milk Safety: Specific regulations for the production, processing, and handling of milk to ensure its safety and quality.
7. Hazardous Substances:
Regulations pertaining to the labeling and handling of certain hazardous substances found in commerce, ensuring consumer safety.
8. Livestock Sales:
Rules governing the operation of livestock markets and sales, ensuring fair practices and animal health considerations.
9. Milk:
Specific standards and regulations for the milk industry, often covering everything from production on the farm to processing and distribution.
10. Petroleum Products:
Regulations concerning the quality, labeling, and dispensing of petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel fuel, to protect consumers from fraudulent practices and ensure accuracy at the pump. The SCDA regularly inspects fuel pumps for proper functioning and to prevent credit card skimmers.
11. The Roadside Market Incentive Program:
Regulations establishing and governing programs to support and incentivize roadside markets, promoting direct sales from farmers to consumers.
12. Seeds:
Rules concerning the labeling, testing, and sale of seeds to ensure quality, germination rates, and truthful representation, protecting farmers from inferior products.
13. Dealers and Handlers of Agricultural Products:
Requires individuals or entities purchasing or handling agricultural products from South Carolina farmers to obtain a license and post a surety bond, providing financial protection for farmers.
In summary, South Carolina Code of Regulations, Chapter 5, provides the detailed regulatory framework for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to safeguard the state's agricultural integrity, ensure food safety from farm to table, protect consumers, and foster a healthy environment for agricultural commerce.
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