Sec. 10.15.02.14. Labeling and Marking of Crab Meat Containers

The person-in-charge shall ensure that:

A. The information required on a container of crab meat is marked by:

(1) Embossing;

(2) Imprinting;

(3) Lithography; or

(4) Another method approved by the Department based on its:

(a) Durability; and

(b) Ability to remain on the container for the shelf life of the crab meat in a form that is:

(i) Conspicuous; and

(ii) Legible;

B. The following information is marked on a container of crab meat:

(1) The common name of the food;

(2) The name and address of the picking plant or distributor;

(3) If a chemical is added to the crab meat, a statement to that effect;

(4) The license number of the plant preceded by the State abbreviation applicable to the picking plant; and

(5) The net weight of the contents of the container;

C. For a container marked with the name of the distributor, the name of the distributor is:

(1) Preceded by the words "packed for" or "distributed by"; or

(2) Followed by the word "distributor";

D. When the packing and pasteurization are completed at different plants, the label clearly states the license numbers of the packer and pasteurizer;

E. For a container of pasteurized crab meat, whenever the term "crab meat" or its equivalent appears on the label, the word "pasteurized" is stated with equal prominence and in immediate conjunction with the term "crab meat";

F. A container of pasteurized crab meat is marked with a batch code that indicates the date of picking, packing, or pasteurization;

G. Except when crab meat is frozen, the words "keep refrigerated" or equivalent words are placed on a container of fresh or pasteurized crab meat;

H. The words "keep frozen" or equivalent words are prominently displayed on the label of a container of frozen crab meat;

I. If crab meat is in a frozen state after being manufactured, processed, or packaged and it then is offered for sale in an unfrozen state, the container's labeling contains a clear and conspicuous statement that the crab meat was previously frozen and should not be refrozen;

J. A container of crab meat containing crab meat picked from a crab, packed, repacked, or processed outside of the United States:

(1) Is marked with the words "This product contains crab meat from (name of country of origin)"; and

(2) The marking required in §J(1) of this regulation is prominently displayed in letters not smaller than 12-point type on the principal display panel;

K. A container of crab meat containing crab meat picked from a crab other than a "blue crab" (C. sapidus) is marked with the common name and scientific name of the crab picked into the container;

L. False or misleading information is not placed on a container of crab meat; and

M. A container of repacked crab meat is marked:

(1) With the date of the repack, which may be a code date;

(2) With the crab meat plant numbers of both the original packer and repacker; and

(3) To allow the crab meat to be traced back to both the repacker and original packer.