Fresno County Municipal Code Ch. 8.12 Mandatory Lettuce Inspection Certification

It is unlawful for any person to sell, transport or ship, or have in his or her possession for sale, transportation or shipment, any head lettuce in standard containers unless the agricultural commissioner of the county has issued a certificate of inspection showing that such lettuce complies with the provisions of Division 17 of the Food and Agriculture Code of the state.

(Ord. 621, § 1, 1980)

The agricultural commissioner may certify compliance with Division 17 of the Food and Agriculture Code by means of a certificate containing a description of the produce, the quantity of the lot, identifying marks on the containers, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot.

(Ord. 621, § 1, 1980)

A. In lieu of issuing the certificate described in Section 8.12.020, the agricultural commissioner may certify compliance by means of a County certification stamp or device.

B. Such certification stamp or device shall be affixed to a bill of lading, invoice, or other documents which shall show a description of the produce of the lot, the quantity, identifying marks on the container, identification of location or vehicle, and any other facts necessary to readily identify the lot. Such bill of lading, invoice or other document shall accompany each lot or load during transportation.

C. The agricultural commissioner may issue the county certification stamp or device, or may authorize its use by a grower, shipper, packer or other financially interested person. Such person shall maintain records of shipments which shall inform when the stamp or device was used and the number of containers in each lot or load represented as being so certified. Such records shall be presented upon demand of the commissioner or the director of Food and Agriculture of the state.

D. It is unlawful for any person authorized to use a county certification stamp or device to do any of the following:

1. Alter such stamp or device;

2. Use such stamp or device to represent any lot or load of produce which is not in compliance with this chapter;

3. Use such stamp or device in a manner other than provided in this section.

E. The Agricultural commissioner shall revoke or suspend the right of any person to use any certification stamp or device when such person violates any provision of this section.

F. It is lawful for any person whose right to use any certification stamp or device has been revoked or suspended to refuse to surrender to the commissioner, upon demand, any unused stamps or device issued to such person.

(Ord. 621, § 1, 1980)