§ 750.283Fruits and vegetables sold in closed package; fraud prevention

Sec. 283.
    Preventing fraud in sale of fruits and vegetables—In this section, unless the contents
 otherwise require, the term "closed package" shall be construed to mean a barrel, box, basket,
 carrier or crate, of which all the contents cannot readily be seen or inspected when such
 package is prepared for market. Fresh fruits or vegetables in baskets or boxes, packed in
 closed or open crates, and packages covered with burlap, tarlatan or slat covers shall come
 within the meaning of the term "closed package."
    Every person who, by himself, his agent or employe, packs or repacks fresh fruits or
 vegetables in closed packages intended for sale in the open market, shall cause the same to be
 marked in a plain and indelible manner, as follows:
    First, With his full name and address, including the name of the state where such fresh
 fruits and vegetables are packed, before such fresh fruits or vegetables are removed from the
 premises of the packer or dealer;
    Second, The name and address of such packer or dealer shall be printed or stamped on said
 closed packages in letters not less than 1/4 inch in height.
    No person shall sell, offer, expose or have in his possession for sale, in the open market,
 any fresh fruits or vegetables packed in a closed package and intended for sale, unless such
 package is marked as is required by this section.
    No person shall sell, offer, expose or have in his possession for sale, any fresh fruits or
 vegetables packed in a closed or open package, upon which package is marked any
 designation which represents such fruit as "number one", "finest", "best", "extra good",
 "fancy", "selected", "prime", "standard", or other superior grade or quality, unless such fruit or
 vegetables consist of well grown specimens, sound, of nearly uniform size, normal shape and
 good color, for the variety, and not less than 90 per cent free from injurious or disfiguring
 bruises, diseases, insect injuries or other defects, natural deterioration and decay in transit or
 storage excepted.
    No person shall sell, offer, expose or have in his possession for sale any fresh fruits or
 vegetables packed in any package in which the faced or shown surface gives a false
 representation of the contents of such package, and it shall be considered a false representation
 when more than 20 per cent of such fresh fruits or vegetables are substantially smaller in size



                                                                Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 91 of 2026
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 than or inferior in grade to, or different in variety from, the faced or shown surface of such
 package, natural deterioration and decay in transit or storage excepted.
    Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a
 misdemeanor. The commissioner of agriculture is hereby charged with the enforcement of this
 section and is given power unto himself and his inspectors to enter into and upon any premises
 where fruits and vegetables are graded or packed or stored to inspect the same as to grade,
 pack and condition.