This bill mandates that food manufacturers and brand owners in Minnesota must conduct testing for ortho-phthalates in packaged food products and report the results to the commissioner of agriculture. It introduces several new definitions, including "brand," "brand owner," "food manufacturer," "ortho-phthalates," "packaged food product," "universal product code (UPC)," and "UPC barcode," all of which will be effective from July 1, 2027. The bill outlines the requirements for testing, including the submission of detailed results, the accreditation of testing laboratories, and the frequency of testing, which must occur every two years.

Additionally, the bill requires that testing results be made publicly available on the food manufacturer's or brand owner's website, including specific information about the product and testing methods. It also mandates the inclusion of a QR code on product labels that links to the testing results. The commissioner of agriculture is given the authority to enforce compliance with these regulations and impose penalties for violations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance consumer safety and transparency regarding the presence of ortho-phthalates in food products.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 34A.01