§ 21-2-2. Declaration of policy.
Milk is recognized to be one of the most perfect foods afforded by nature. It is unique
in that its consumption in adequate quantities is essential to the nutritional well-being
of the individual; but if its production and distribution are not properly safeguarded,
it may be instrumental in the transmission of diseases infectious to people. It is
declared to be the policy of the state that, for the protection of the health and
welfare of the people of the state of Rhode Island, the environmental conditions surrounding
the production, handling, transportation, distribution, and sale of milk and milk
products shall be to protect the public health and to provide consumers with products
that are identified in such a way as to promote honesty and fair dealing in the best
interests of the consumers. Specifically, it is declared to be the policy of the state
to provide:
(1) That the people of Rhode Island shall have a supply of milk adequate to their needs
and demands under all conditions.
(2) That milk provided for consumers within the state of Rhode Island shall be of good
quality; shall be safe for human consumption; shall contain no live bacteria capable
of transmitting disease to people; shall contain adequate nutritional components;
and shall be free of adulteration.
(3) That milk sold or produced in Rhode Island shall come from healthy cows or goats.
(4) That milk sold or produced in Rhode Island shall be produced on farms having standards
and conditions of sanitation adequate to ensure production of milk that is safe and
of good quality.
(5) That milk sold or produced in Rhode Island shall be produced, processed, and handled
by personnel free from any communicable disease.
(6) That milk to be consumed in the state of Rhode Island shall, at all stages in its
travel from animal to ultimate consumer, be transported in equipment and/or packages
that shall be designed, filled, operated, maintained, and emptied to prevent the introduction
and/or propagation of bacteria, dirt, or any other foreign substances.
(7) That all milk sold in Rhode Island shall be handled and processed under conditions
of good sanitation and shall be finally packaged free from contamination, dirt, or
any other foreign substances and/or adulteration.
(8) That all milk sold within the state of Rhode Island shall be, except as specifically
authorized by this chapter, pasteurized by a recognized method of pasteurizing adequate
to destroy bacteria capable of transmitting disease to people. Provided, that a physician
may authorize an individual sale of goat milk directly from producer to consumer by
written, signed prescription.
(9) That the branding or labeling of packages in which all milk sold in the state of Rhode
Island shall be delivered to the consumer shall state the grade of milk packaged;
may state any special attributes of the milk; and that all statements made on any
packaging labels shall not be false or misleading.
(10) That this state shall cooperate in the preparation and promulgation of any set of
standards, regulations, statutes, or other means of control of sanitation in the production,
transportation, handling, processing, and distribution of milk, or any one or more
of them, according to a uniform system of requirements to be adopted alike by all
or a majority of the states that contribute milk to the Rhode Island market.