Whenever any person subject to the provisions of this Part submits to the secretary of the department an affidavit claiming a shortage or imminence of shortage of any vitamin added to or to be added to oleomargarine as required by this Part, the department shall request information from the federal agency responsible for information concerning the availability of that vitamin.  If factual information from the federal source can be obtained within ten days, it shall be considered as final and the department shall act thereon.  If the information from the federal agency is not available within ten days, the department shall call a public hearing, to be held within ten days after notice.  If the testimony presented shows that the sale and distribution of oleomargarine may be substantially impeded by the enforcement of the provisions of this Part, the department shall authorize the sale and distribution of oleomargarine until adequate supplies of the vitamins become available, in the judgment of the department, based on information from the federal agencies or testimony at a public hearing.

Amended by Acts 1978, No. 786, §5, eff. July 17, 1978.