Requires the department of agriculture to create grade labeling requirement for bananas.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 147, Hawaii Revised Statutes, part I, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§147- Bananas; grades, standards, and classifications; factors; labeling. The department shall establish grades, standards, classifications, and grade labeling for bananas pursuant to chapter 91. In establishing grades, standards, and classifications, the department, in addition to such factors as may be specified in any other law, shall take into account and base the grades, standards, or classifications upon such of the following factors as shall be applicable to the type of banana involved: degree of maturity; size, measured by dimensions or weight; degree of freshness, as determined by physical examination or chemical test or analysis; moisture content; uniformity; color; firmness; tenderness; defects; injury; damage; diseases; appearance; mixture of varieties; decay; conformation; soundness; varietal characteristics or type; number of specimens per pound; nature of pack; presence of dirt or other foreign material; condition as to temperature and extent to which the product is hot or heating or is in a sour condition; extent to which product is satisfactory for human or other consumption or use; extent to which the product has been affected by handling or treatment; extent to which the product has a commercially objectionable flavor or odor; and other factors indicative of class, quality, or condition, and of the value or suitability of the product involved for the commercial or other use to be made thereof. In addition the department shall take into account any grades, standards, or classifications for such product established by the United States Department of Agriculture and also applicable federal grades and standard laws."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.