§ 2-21-1. Short Title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Georgia Organic Certification and Labeling Act.” History. Code 1981, § 2-21-1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2000, p. 1648, § 1.

§ 2-21-2. Definitions

As used in this chapter, the term: “Certification” means the verification of authentic organic practices in the production or processing of organic food or feed and is an annual process by which the producer or processor of fresh, wholesale, or retail organic food or feed receives written certification from the department or a department approved […]

§ 2-21-3. Certification Requirements

Upon testing, any agricultural ingredient, article, commodity, or product which is identified, labeled, advertised, packaged, or promoted as organic shall contain no more than 5 percent of a level established as toxic by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural […]

§ 2-21-4. Packaging and Labeling; Registration Required

No person may use the words “certified organic by” in the identification, advertising, promotion, packaging, or labeling of a food or feed ingredient, article, commodity, or product unless that ingredient, article, commodity, or product complies with the requirements of Code Section 2-21-3 and unless the producer, distributor, or processor has a certification in good standing […]

§ 2-21-5. Inspection and Testing

The department or a department approved certifying entity may inspect at any reasonable time any area where food or feed identified, labeled, advertised, packaged, or promoted as organic food or feed is produced, processed, stored, distributed, transported, or sold. The department or a department approved certifying entity may require a laboratory analysis for the purpose […]

§ 2-21-6. Rules and Regulations

The Commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations fixing and establishing reasonable definitions and standards for organic food and feed commodities or products being produced or sold within the State of Georgia. The Commissioner may adopt, by reference, pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, known as the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” regulations for production, handling, […]

§ 2-21-7. Right of Appeal

Any person, producer, broker, distributor, or processor of an organic food or feed product which is adversely affected by any action of an approved certifying entity shall have the right to appeal to the Commissioner. Such appeal and any further proceedings shall be subject to Chapter 13 of Title 50, known as the “Georgia Administrative […]

§ 2-21-8. Penalty

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. History. Code 1981, § 2-21-8 , enacted by Ga. L. 2000, p. 1648, § 1.