Grades of Fruit and Vegetables Law & Legal Definition

A state statute may regulate the grade and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables produced in that state so that that they may sell in competition with those produced in other areas. The fruit and vegetable industry is of great economic importance not only to the farmers of the state but to the general economy of the state. States have enacted laws providing for accurate labeling and shipping point inspection and grading of fruits and vegetables which has resulted in improving their quality and grade to the economic gain and benefit of producers. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the agricultural economy of a statute regulate the shipping and packing of fresh fruits and vegetables in containers by requiring accurate labeling and requiring inspection and grading for such products under certain conditions as provided by statute.

The following is an example of a state statute authorizing official grading of fruits and vegetables:

"The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, with the approval of the State Board of Agriculture and Industries, shall have authority to adopt and promulgate official grades for the purpose of determining the grade, quality, classification or condition of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the State of Alabama, and the commissioner, with the approval of the Board of Agriculture and Industries, is authorized to adopt as official grades for fresh fruits and vegetables such grades as have been promulgated by the United States Department of Agriculture. The grades for fresh fruits and vegetables adopted under this section shall be official grades therefor. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, through agents duly designated by him, is authorized to issue certificates of inspection certifying as to the grade of fresh fruits and vegetables inspected by such agents. Certificates of inspection issued by the United States Department of Agriculture certifying official grades shall be recognized as complying with this article where certificates of inspection are required under this article."