Insect Production Human Consumption

The bill prohibits:

• Engaging in commercial insect production for human consumption;
• Selling or offering to sell insect products derived from commercial insect production; and
• Transporting insect products with the intention of selling or offering to sell the insect products for human consumption.

An existing business may continue to produce the same quantity and type of insect products made on the effective date of the bill but may not expand production.

District attorneys may enforce the bill, and the commissioner of agriculture may refer suspected violations to the local district attorney. A person may bring a civil action against a person that violates the bill. In the civil action, the court may award to a prevailing plaintiff actual damages, costs of litigation, reasonable attorney fees, and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

A person that violates these provisions commits a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 per day of violation.

The bill amends the misbranding law to require food that contains insects or insect parts to be labeled with the words "contains insects".

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)