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Bill > S912
NJ S912
NJ S912Authorizes farmers and other persons to use, sell, and distribute ground-harvested fruit for purposes of value-added product processing and production.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would authorize a farmer or other person to use ground-harvested fruit to produce alcohol, cider, baked goods, or other value-added products for sale or distribution in the State, provided that the final, value-added products are pasteurized or otherwise appropriately prepared or treated, as may be necessary to destroy microorganisms that might cause disease, spoilage, or undesirable fermentation. The bill would further authorize a farmer or other person to sell or distribute ground-harvested fruit to another person for use in the production or processing of food or other value-added products, which third-party use is to comport with the bill's provisions regarding pasteurization of, or other appropriate destruction of microorganisms in, the final product. The bill defines "value-added product" to mean an agricultural commodity or product that: has undergone a change in physical state, was produced in a manner that enhances its value, as demonstrated through a business plan showing the enhanced value, is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value, or is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced agricultural food product, and which, as a result of such change in physical state or such manner of production, marketing, or segregation, results in an expanded customer base for the agricultural commodity or product and enables the producer to retain a greater portion of the revenue derived from the marketing, processing, or physical segregation of the agricultural commodity or product. Under the bill's provisions, if a value-added product containing ground-harvested fruit is sold or distributed, offered for sale or distribution, or possessed for the purposes of sale or distribution as a food product in this State and has not been pasteurized or otherwise appropriately prepared or treated, as required by the bill, the product will be subject to confiscation, condemnation, and destruction or disposal by the Department of Health, in accordance with the provisions of existing law pertaining to the seizure and condemnation of adulterated foods.
AI Summary
This bill authorizes farmers and others to use "ground-harvested fruit," which is fruit that has fallen to the ground, to create "value-added products." A value-added product is defined as an agricultural item that has been transformed in a way that increases its worth, such as through a change in its physical state, a special production method outlined in a business plan, physical segregation, or being marketed as a local product, all of which aim to expand its customer base and increase revenue for the producer. These value-added products, which can include items like alcohol, cider, or baked goods, can be sold or distributed within the state, but only if they are pasteurized or otherwise treated to eliminate harmful microorganisms that could cause disease, spoilage, or unwanted fermentation. The bill also permits the sale of ground-harvested fruit to others for processing into these types of products, provided the final products meet the same safety standards. If a value-added product made with ground-harvested fruit is not properly treated and is offered for sale or distribution as food in the state, it can be seized, condemned, and destroyed by the Department of Health, similar to how adulterated foods are handled under existing law. The Departments of Agriculture and Health will work together to create necessary regulations to implement these provisions.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S912 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/912_I1.HTM |
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