Fla. Stat. 601.45
Grading of fresh citrus fruit


(1)

All citrus fruit, except as provided in s. 601.50, sold or shipped, or offered for sale or shipment, for consumption in fresh form shall be graded in a registered packinghouse in this state according to standards established by the department, and the grade of such fruit shall be indicated as provided in this section.

(2)

Fresh citrus fruit being transported in bulk form shall have stamped upon such fruit, subject to department rules:The actual grade thereof; orBrands or trademarks properly registered with the department to represent state or U.S. grades, as provided in subsection (4).

(a)

The actual grade thereof; or

(b)

Brands or trademarks properly registered with the department to represent state or U.S. grades, as provided in subsection (4).

(3)

For fresh citrus fruit being transported when packed in a closed container approved or otherwise authorized by the department, it shall be sufficient if the closed container has the grade indicated thereon, in accordance with department rules, by:Stamping the grade of the fruit on the container; orUse of labels, brands, or trademarks properly registered with the department to represent state or U.S. grades, as provided in subsection (4).

(a)

Stamping the grade of the fruit on the container; or

(b)

Use of labels, brands, or trademarks properly registered with the department to represent state or U.S. grades, as provided in subsection (4).

(4)

In accordance with such rules as the department may prescribe, licensed citrus fruit dealers in this state are entitled to register labels, brands, or trademarks for grade identification purposes. The department shall maintain a record of all labels, brands, or trademarks registered for grade identification purposes, which record may be purged as necessary.

Source: Section 601.45 — Grading of fresh citrus fruit, https://www.­flsenate.­gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0601.­45 (accessed Aug. 7, 2025).

601.01
Short title
601.02
Purposes
601.03
Definitions
601.04
Florida Citrus Commission
601.05
Department of Citrus a body corporate
601.06
Compensation and expenses of commission members
601.07
Location of executive offices
601.08
Authenticated copies of commission records as evidence
601.09
Citrus districts
601.10
Powers of the Department of Citrus
601.11
Department of Citrus
601.13
Citrus research
601.15
Advertising campaign
601.24
Department of Citrus to prescribe methods of testing and grading
601.25
Determination of soluble solids and acid
601.27
Department of Agriculture
601.28
Inspection fees
601.29
Powers of Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
601.31
Citrus inspectors
601.32
Compensation of inspectors
601.33
Interference with inspectors
601.34
Duties of law enforcement officers
601.35
Disputes as to quality, etc.
601.36
Inspection information required when two or more lots of fruit run simultaneously
601.37
Unlawful acts of inspectors
601.38
Citrus inspectors
601.39
Special inspectors
601.40
Registration of citrus packinghouses, processing plants with Department of Agriculture
601.41
Operation without registration unlawful
601.041
The Friends of Florida Citrus Program
601.42
Revocation of registration
601.43
Immature and unfit citrus fruit
601.44
Destruction of immature fruit
601.45
Grading of fresh citrus fruit
601.045
Commission meetings
601.46
Condition precedent to sale of citrus fruit
601.47
Condition precedent to processing citrus
601.48
Grading processed citrus products
601.49
Condition precedent to selling processed citrus products
601.50
Exemptions
601.51
Certification required for shipment of citrus fruit or products
601.52
Carriers not to accept fruit without evidence of payment of assessments and fees
601.53
Unlawful to process unwholesome citrus
601.54
Seizure of unwholesome fruit by Department of Agriculture’s agents
601.55
Citrus fruit dealer
601.56
Application for dealers’ licenses
601.57
Examination of application
601.58
Application approval or disapproval
601.59
Dealer’s license fee
601.60
Issuance of dealers’ licenses
601.61
Bond requirements of citrus fruit dealers
601.64
Citrus fruit dealers
601.65
Liability of citrus fruit dealers
601.66
Complaints of violations by citrus fruit dealers
601.67
Disciplinary action by Department of Agriculture against citrus fruit dealers
601.68
Investigation of violations
601.69
Records to be kept by citrus fruit dealers
601.70
Inspection of records by Department of Agriculture
601.72
Penalties for violations
601.73
Additional methods of enforcement
601.74
Fees for licensing and analysis of processing materials
601.79
To color grapefruit and tangerines prohibited
601.80
Unlawful to use uncertified coloring matter
601.85
Standard shipping box for fresh fruit
601.86
Standard field boxes for fresh citrus fruit
601.88
Oversized boxes to be stamped
601.89
Citrus fruit
601.91
Unlawful to sell, transport, prepare, receive, or deliver freeze-damaged citrus
601.091
Florida SunRidge, Indian River, and Gulf production areas, boundaries and designation
601.92
Use of arsenic in connection with citrus
601.93
Sale of citrus containing arsenic
601.94
Fruit containing arsenic
601.95
Seizure of citrus fruit containing arsenic
601.96
Seized fruit
601.97
Destruction of certain fruit containing arsenic
601.98
Shipment, sale, or offer of imported citrus fruit or citrus products
601.99
Unlawful to misbrand wrappers or packages containing citrus fruit
601.101
Ownership of rights under patent and trademark laws developed or acquired under this chapter
601.111
Maturity standards
601.152
Special marketing orders
601.155
Equalizing assessment
601.281
Road guard fees
601.461
Falsification of weights
601.471
Definition of “canned or concentrated citrus fruit products” expanded
601.501
Charitable shipments exempt from assessments
601.601
Registration of dealers’ agents
601.611
Applicable law in event ch. 61-389 held invalid
601.641
Fraudulent representations, penalties
601.671
Appropriation of fines collected
601.701
Penalty for failure to keep records
601.731
Transporting citrus on highways
601.992
Collection of dues and other payments on behalf of certain nonprofit corporations engaged in market news and grower education
601.9901
Certificates of inspection
601.9902
Payment of salaries and expenses
601.9903
Annual report of Department of Citrus
601.9904
Frozen citrus juices
601.9908
Canned tangerine juice
601.9910
Legislative findings of fact
601.9911
Fruit may be sold or transported direct from producer
601.9912
Penalties
601.9918
Rules related to issuance and use of symbols
601.99035
Annual travel report of Department of Citrus
601.99036
Approval of specified salary changes

Current through Fall 2025

§ 601.45. Grading of fresh citrus fruit's source at flsenate​.gov