Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §2152, sub-§4-A, ¶¶E and F, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 331, §1, are amended to read:

E. Establishments engaged in the washing, cleaning or sorting of whole produce, provided the produce remains in essentially the same condition as when harvested. The whole produce may be packaged for sale, provided that packaging is not by a vacuum packaging process or a modified atmosphere packaging process; and

F. Establishments that are engaged in the drying of single herbs that are generally recognized as safe under 21 Code of Federal Regulations, Sections 182 to 189. The single herbs may be packaged for sale, provided that packaging is not by a vacuum packaging process or a modified atmosphere packaging process.; and

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §2152, sub-§4-A, ¶G is enacted to read:

G.__Farm or garden establishments engaged in the processing and sale of farm or garden products directly to the final consumer by the person who owns, occupies or cultivates the farm or garden.__For purposes of this paragraph, "processing" means the washing, cleaning, trimming,__drying, sorting and packaging of farm or garden products and "farm or garden products" means vegetables, fruits, grains, dry beans, herbs and flowers.

SUMMARY

This bill exempts farm or garden establishments that are engaged in direct sales to consumers of minimally processed foods from the licensing requirements for food establishments.