All cheese manufactured in this state shall be labeled at the dairy plant or cheese factory with all of the items listed under subs. (1) to (5). The labeling shall remain on the cheese until the cheese is used in the manufacture or processing of another food, or until it is relabeled by a buyer who cuts and repackages the bulk unit into consumer size packages. A manufacturer may not use electronic code labeling as the sole means to display labeling required under this section, except when the cheese is under the manufacturer’s custody and control. If a manufacturer uses electronic code labeling, the manufacturer shall provide a scanner or other device that enables a department employee or agent to decode the information into a readable format at the place where the manufacturer keeps the cheese.

1. (1) Name of cheese. The name of the cheese variety or type of cheese.
2. (2) State identification. The word “WISCONSIN” or code number “55”, a numerical code which indicates that the cheese was manufactured at a dairy plant in this state.
3. (3) Dairy plant identification. The serial or individual identification number assigned by the department for the dairy plant at which the cheese was made.
4. (4) Date of manufacture. The month, date and year of manufacture for the cheese. The date of manufacture may be abbreviated using an alphanumeric or all numeric format. The abbreviation shall clearly identify the month, date and year, or a Julian calendar date consisting of a 2 digit designation for the year of manufacture followed by a 3 digit Julian date.

5. (5) Vat identification. The alpha or numerical designation of the vat which identifies a specific vat or chronological sequence of manufacture when more than one vat of cheese is manufactured in the same vat on the same day.

   Note: A manufacturer’s label will substantially comply with this subsection if it uses one of the following alternative formats for each label requirement under subs. (1) to (5):

   - See PDF for table

History

History: Cr. Register, April, 1993, No. 448, eff. 5-1-93; cr. (6), Register, January, 1996, No. 481, eff. 2-1-96; CR 99-151: am. (intro.) and (4) and r. (6), Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.