(a) It is unlawful for any person to mislabel any fruit, nut, or vegetable, or place or have any false or misleading statement or designation of quality, grade, trademark, or trade name, on any wrapper or container, or on the label or lining of any container of any fresh or dried fruit, nut, or vegetable, or on any placard which is used in connection with, or which has reference to, any fresh or dried fruit, nut, or vegetable or container, bulk lot, bulk load, load, arrangement, or display of fresh or dried fruits, nuts, or vegetables.

(b) This section requires the obliteration of incorrect or unauthorized labels or markings prior to commercial reuse of containers. The use of empty containers solely as a platform for retail display of other properly labeled containers containing the commodity for sale, or the use of containers for purposes not involving the sale of the product therein, does not constitute “commercial reuse” for these purposes.

(c) This section does not require the obliteration of old markings or labels by a grower employing a used container solely to transport, and not for display or sale, that grower’s own agricultural products to or from, or both to and from, a certified farmers’ market.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 452, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2000.)