Administrative provisions

(a) These regulations shall apply to any meat which is produced, prepared, packaged, advertised, sold, or offered for sale, whether packaged or unpackaged, which is identified or named in any way, whether it be by labeling, advertising, or any other means. (b) All food establishments within this state shall be subject to periodic investigations by inspectors duly authorized by the Commissioner. (c) Any meat or meat food product failing to meet the labeling requirements of these regulations is "misbranded" within the meaning of the Uniform Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Section 21a-102 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Such misbranding constitutes a prohibited act under Section 21a-93 and subjects the operator of the food establishment selling such meat or meat food products to the penalties enumerated in Section 21a-95. (d) The use in radio, television, newspaper or other advertising of a name in addition to the true name of a particular cut of meat without an immediate reference to the true name shall constitute a false and misleading advertisement within the meaning of Section 21a-113 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The dissemination of such false and misleading advertisement is a prohibited act under Section 21a-93 (e). The violation of Section 21a-93 (e) shall subject the operator to the penalties prescribed in Section 21a-95. (e) Before any such penalty is imposed, the operator shall be given the opportunity to request a hearing before the Commissioner to be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes. (f) Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the Commissioner to initiate proceedings against an operator allegedly guilty of a minor violation of these regulations. A written notice or warning to the operator may be sufficient whenever the Commissioner feels that the public intest will be adequately served thereby. A continuing violation, or second or subsequent offense, will subject the operator to the full penalties prescribed in the Uniform Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (g) Exemptions from the labeling requirements contained in these regulations may be granted at the discretion of the Commissioner for special cuts of meat intended for a particular ethnic group. Retailers desiring such exemptions shall submit a written request for exemptions to the Commissioner. (h) In order to allow a sufficient period of time for any necessary changes in printing procedures, retail food establishments shall have 60 days from the effective date of these regulations in which to implement the new labeling requirements. (i) These regulations shall not apply to any meat which is produced, prepared, or packaged for sale within this state under the procedures prescribed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture until after such meat leaves the premises of a U.S.D.A. official establishment for distribution. (j) These regulations shall not apply to meat which is produced, prepared, or packaged under the procedures prescribed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for sale at retail outside the State of Connecticut. (See Charts 1, 2, 3 and 4 on following pages.)