2006 Minnesota Statutes

32.475 BUTTER, GRADING AND LABELING.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. As used in this section, score or grade means the grading of
butter by its examination for flavor and aroma, body and texture, color, and salt, and by the use
of other tests or procedures approved by the commissioner of agriculture, for ascertaining the
quality of butter in whole or in part.
    Subd. 2. Minnesota grades. It is unlawful to sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in
possession with intent to sell any butter at retail unless it has been graded and labeled with such
grades as follows:
(a) Grade, Minnesota, AA -- U.S. Grade AA
(b) Grade, Minnesota, A -- U.S. Grade A
(c) Grade, Minnesota, B -- U.S. Grade B
(d) Grade, Minnesota, undergrade -- all butter below Minnesota B.
For the purposes of this section "sale at retail" shall include all sales to a restaurant or eating
establishment that serves butter to its patrons or that uses butter in the preparation of any food
which is served to its patrons.
    Subd. 3. United States grades. United States AA, A and B grades, or as such grades may be
amended or as they may be administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, shall be
accepted in lieu of the corresponding Minnesota AA, A and B grades, but all United States grades
below B shall, for the purpose of this section, correspond to Minnesota undergrade.
    Subd. 4. Methods and procedures, promulgation by commissioner of agriculture.
Methods and procedures to be used for ascertaining quality, grades, grading, labeling, and for
arbitrating disputes with respect to grades may be promulgated by the commissioner of agriculture.
    Subd. 5. Foreign butter. Butter from outside of the state of Minnesota sold within this state
shall comply with the state grade and labeling standards provided in this section; and, unless
marked with United States AA, A, and B grades, shall indicate the grade in a manner equivalent
to the requirements for butter manufactured and sold within this state.
    Subd. 6. Advertisement for retail sale, indication of grade. Any advertisement of butter
offered for sale at retail to the public at a given price shall plainly and conspicuously indicate the
grade of such butter.
    Subd. 7. Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor.
History: 1955 c 219 s 1; 1957 c 145 s 1; 1971 c 23 s 5; 1Sp2001 c 2 s 63