Enacts the "honesty in cut meat act" under which grocery stores must display signage that distinguishes between store-cut meat and pre-cut, pre-packaged meat.
Impact
The bill addresses the declining presence of skilled in-store meat cutters, who provide a vital service within grocery stores and earn wages that contribute significantly to local economies. Legislative findings note that as grocery stores shift towards pre-packaged products, this trend exacerbates job losses and impacts community sustainability. By law, grocery stores would need to inform customers about the source of their meat, thereby promoting fresh meat products as well as creating a protective framework for butcher jobs that offer family-sustaining wages.
Summary
S10073, also known as the 'Honesty in Cut Meat Act', proposes amendments to the general business law relating to the sale of meat products in grocery stores. The bill mandates that grocery stores with meat departments display clear signage distinguishing between store-cut meat and pre-cut, pre-packaged meat. This requirement aims to enhance transparency for consumers, allowing them to make informed choices regarding their meat purchases while promoting fresh, locally prepared products over processed alternatives. The intention behind the legislation is to encourage the use of in-store butchers, thereby supporting local employment and improving community welfare.
Contention
Potential points of contention regarding S10073 may arise around the enforcement mechanisms for the new signage requirements and the penalties for non-compliance. The legislation empowers the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and imposes civil penalties for violations. Opponents could argue that these penalties may place an undue burden on smaller grocery stores, particularly those that may struggle to implement new signage swiftly. However, supporters emphasize that the bill's overall intent is to foster consumer awareness and loyalty towards locally sourced meats, balancing community interests with business operations.
Same As
Enacts the "honesty in cut meat act" under which grocery stores must display signage that distinguishes between store-cut meat and pre-cut, pre-packaged meat.
Requires signage be placed alongside cultural materials, including artwork and artifacts stolen during the transatlantic slave period and the domestic slave trade period, between the 16th and 19th centuries, with its peak between 1700 and 1870, indicating such cultural material was stolen.
Requires signage be placed alongside art and artifacts, including art and artifacts created using metal materials used in the exchange for enslaved human captives, which were stolen during the transatlantic slave period and the domestic slave trade period, between the 16th and 19th centuries, with its peak between 1700 and 1870, indicating such information.
Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.
Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.