§ 3:1436 — Labeling of seeds

§1436. Labeling of seeds
Each container of agricultural, vegetable, or flower seeds, or other propagating stock
that is sold or offered for sale in Louisiana for planting purposes shall bear thereon or have
attached thereto in a conspicuous place a label plainly written or printed in the English
language. The label shall give the following information:
(1) For all agricultural, vegetable, and flower seeds treated as defined in this Part
for which a separate label may be used:
(a) A word or statement indicating that the seed has been treated.
(b) The commonly accepted coined, chemical or abbreviated chemical or generic
name of the applied substance or description of the process used.
(c) If the substance in the amount present with the seed is harmful to human or other
vertebrate animals, a caution statement such as "Do not use for food, feed, or oil purposes".
The caution for mercurials and similarly toxic substances shall be a poison statement or
symbol.
(d) If the seed is treated with an inoculant, the date beyond which the inoculant is not
to be considered effective (date of expiration).
(2) On agricultural seeds:
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the commonly accepted name of the kind
and variety of each agricultural seed component in excess of five percent of the whole, and
the percentage of weight of each in the order of its predominance. The provisions of this
Subparagraph shall not prohibit the sale of wheat and oat seeds that are labeled "variety not
stated" and that meet the other requirements of this Part. The commission may adopt rules
and regulations governing the sale and labeling of variety not stated wheat and oat seeds.
Hybrids shall be labeled as hybrids.
(b) The number or other lot identification.
(c) The origin of the seed. If the origin is not known, that fact shall be stated.
(d) The percentage by weight of all weed seeds.
(e) The name and number per pound of each kind of noxious weed seed.
(f) The percentage by weight of crop seeds other than those required to be on the
label.
(g) The percentage by weight of inert matter.
(h) For each named agricultural seed: the percentage of germination, exclusive of
hard seed; the percentage of hard seed when present; and the calendar month and year the test
was completed to determine such percentages.
(i) Name and address of the person who labeled said seed or who sells, offers, or
exposes said seed for sale within this state.
(3) On vegetable seeds in containers of more than one pound:
(a) The name of the kind and variety of the seed.
(b) The number or other lot identification.
(c) The percentage of germination.
(d) The calendar month and year the test to determine the percentages was
completed.
(e) Name and address of the person who labeled said seed or who sells, offers, or
exposes said seed for sale within this state.
(f) For seeds which germinate less than the standards established by the commission,
the words "Below Standard" printed or written in ink, in not less than eight-point type, on
the face of the label in addition to all other information required.
(4) On vegetable seeds in containers of one pound or less which germinate equal to
or above the standards established by the commission under the provisions of R.S.
3:1433(A)(3)(a):
(a) The name of each kind and variety of seed, and if there are two or more kinds or
varieties present, the percentage of each, and further, that in the case of any such component
which is a hybrid seed, it shall be designated as hybrid on the label.
(b) The lot number or other lot identification.
(c) The name and address of the person who transports, delivers for transportation,
sells, offers for sale, or exposes for sale the seed in this state.
(d) The calendar month and year of the germination test or the year for which the
seeds were packed for sale.
(5) On vegetable seeds in containers of one pound or less that germinate less than
the standards established by the commission under the provisions of R.S. 3:1433(A)(3)(a):
(a) The name of each kind and variety of seed, and if two or more kinds or varieties
are present, the percentage of each, and further, that in the case of any such component which
is a hybrid seed, it shall be designated as hybrid on the label.
(b) For each named kind and variety of seed, the percentage of germination.
(c) The word "Below Standard" in not less than eight-point type.
(d) The lot number or other lot identification.
(e) The calendar month and year the germination tests were completed or the year
for which the seeds were packed for sale.
(f) The name and address of the person who transports, delivers for transportation,
sells, offers for sale, or exposes for sale the seed in this state.
(6) On every separate package of flower seeds and other propagating stock:
(a) The name of the kind and variety of the seeds.
(b) The lot number or other lot identification.
(c) The year for which the seeds were packed for sale.
(d) The name and address of the person who labels, distributes, offers for sale,
exposes for sale, or sells the seed in this state.
(7) On combination mulch, seed, and fertilizer products:
(a) The word "combination" followed by the words "mulch-seed-fertilizer" must
appear on the upper thirty percent of the principal display panel. The word "combination"
must be the largest and most conspicuous type on the container, equal to or larger than the
product name. The words "mulch-seed-fertilizer" shall be no smaller than one-half the size
of the word "combination" and in close proximity to the word "combination". These
products shall contain a minimum of seventy percent mulch.
(b) Analysis label - Agricultural, lawn, and turf seeds placed in a germination
medium, mat, tape, or other device or mixed with mulch shall be labeled as follows:
(i) Product name.
(ii) Lot number.
(iii) Percentage by weight of pure seed of each kind and variety named which may
be less than five percent of the whole.
(iv) Percentage by weight of other crop seeds.
(v) Percentage by weight of inert matter which shall not be less than seventy percent.
(vi) Percentage by weight of weed seeds.
(vii) Name and number of noxious weed seeds per pound, if present.
(viii) Percentage of germination and hard seed of each kind or kind and variety
named and date of test.
(ix) Name and address of the person who labels the seed.

Legislative History

Amended by Acts 1952, No. 127, §1; Acts 1975, No. 766, §3; Acts 1977, No. 149, §4; Acts 1978, No. 34, §2; Acts 1986, No. 190, §1; Acts 1988, No. 213, §1; Acts 1993, No. 140, §1; Acts 2003, No. 175, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2013, No. 26, §1, eff. May 23, 2013; Acts 2018, No. 362, §1, eff. May 20, 2018.