97.25 Use of synthetic bovine growth hormone; labeling of dairy products.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Dairy plant" has the meaning given in s. 97.20 (1) (a).

(b) “Dairy product" means cow's milk or any product or by-product derived solely from cow's milk, or any item in which cow's milk or any product or by-product derived solely from cow's milk is a principal ingredient.

(c) “Milk producer" has the meaning given in s. 97.22 (1) (f).

(2) Prohibition. No person may place upon the label of a dairy product a statement indicating that the dairy product is not produced from herds being administered synthetic bovine growth hormone except as provided in sub. (3).

(3) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules authorizing the operator of a dairy plant licensed under s. 97.20 or a retail food establishment licensed under s. 97.30 who complies with the rules to place upon the label of a dairy product the statement “Farmer-certified rBGH free." or an equivalent statement that is not false or misleading. The statement shall be based upon affidavits from milk producers stating that the milk producers do not use synthetic bovine growth hormone for the production of milk.

(4) Reciprocity. A person may sell a dairy product that is labeled for retail sale in another state the label of which indicates that the dairy product is not produced from herds being administered synthetic bovine growth hormone only if the dairy product is from a state identified by the department as having laws comparable to this state's laws on labeling dairy products not produced with synthetic bovine growth hormone and is labeled in compliance with the laws of that state.

History: 1993 a. 476; 1995 a. 225; 2015 a. 55, 242.