§ 644. Label requirements for agricultural, flower, and vegetable seeds
(a) Each container of agricultural, flower, and vegetable seeds that is sold in this State
for sowing purposes shall be labeled.
(1) All labels shall include:
(A) the name of the kind of each agricultural, flower, grass, and vegetable seed present;
(B) the lot number or other lot identification;
(C) for agricultural and grass seed, the percent by weight of all weed seeds, crop seeds,
and inert matter;
(D) the percent germination of agricultural and grass seed, exclusive of hard seed; the
percentage by weight of hard seed; and the calendar month and year the test was completed;
and
(E) the name and address of the labeler or distributor.
(2) For all seeds that have been treated, the label shall include a word or statement
indicating that the seed has been treated with the commonly accepted chemical or abbreviated
chemical name of the applied substance. A caution statement shall be set forth if
the substance in the amount present is harmful to human or other vertebrate animals.
The caution for toxic substances shall be a poison statement or symbol.
(3) For seed treated with an inoculant, the label shall state the date of expiration of
the inoculant.
(4) For all seed containing genetically engineered material, the manufacturer or processor
shall cause the label or labeling to specify the identity and relevant traits or characteristics
of such seed, plus any requirements for their safe handling, storage, transport, and
use; the contact point for further information; and, as appropriate, the name and
address of the manufacturer, distributor, or supplier of such seed.
(b) The Secretary may adopt rules for labeling procedures consistent with the provisions
of this section, which take into account origin, presence of weed seed, mixtures,
hermetically sealed containers, coated seed, “crop seeds,” genetically engineered
material, genetically engineered plant parts, hybrids, germination medium, and preplanted
containers. (Added 1989, No. 85, § 2; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2003, No. 97 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2004; 2003, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. Oct. 2, 2004; 2023, No. 6, § 43, eff. July 1, 2023.)