What is a Covered Commodity? A Comprehensive Legal Overview
Definition & Meaning
The term "covered commodity" refers to specific agricultural products that are subject to regulations under U.S. law. According to 7 USCS § 1638, covered commodities include:
- Muscle cuts of beef, lamb, and pork
- Ground beef, ground lamb, and ground pork
- Farm-raised fish
- Wild fish
- Perishable agricultural commodities
- Peanuts
- Meat produced from goats
- Whole and parts of chicken
- Ginseng
- Pecans
- Macadamia nuts
However, an item is not considered a covered commodity if it is used as an ingredient in a processed food item.
Legal Use & context
Covered commodities are primarily relevant in the agricultural and food distribution sectors. They are used in legal contexts relating to labeling, marketing, and food safety regulations. Understanding this term is crucial for businesses involved in the production, processing, or sale of these commodities.
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Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Here are a couple of examples illustrating the concept of covered commodities:
- A grocery store sells fresh cuts of beef and lamb, which are classified as covered commodities under U.S. law.
- A food manufacturer produces a frozen dinner that contains ground pork as an ingredient. In this case, the ground pork is not considered a covered commodity because it is part of a processed food item.
Relevant laws & statutes
The primary statute defining covered commodities is 7 USCS § 1638, which outlines the specific types of agricultural products included in this category and their exclusions.