1. (1) Grades. Cheese manufactured and sold in this state shall be graded or identified in one of the following categories, according to the grade standards applicable to the particular cheese variety in subchs. IV to VII, if there is a Wisconsin grade standard for that variety in subchs. IV to VII:

   1. (a) Wisconsin certified premium grade AA.
   2. (b) Wisconsin grade A or Wisconsin state brand.
   3. (c) Wisconsin grade B.
   4. (d) Wisconsin grade C for Swiss cheese.
   5. (e) Wisconsin grade D for Swiss cheese.
   6. (f) Undergrade.
   7. (g) Not graded.

2. (2) Grade mark or label specifications.

   1. (a) Wisconsin certified premium grade AA, Wisconsin grade A, or Wisconsin state brand. The grade mark for cheese grades under sub. (1) (a) or (b) shall consist of a miniature outline map of the boundaries of Wisconsin with the cheese grader’s license number and the name of the applicable grade, as determined by the cheese grader, enclosed within the outline map. The type shall be spaced and designed so as to be legible and present a symmetrical appearance.

      Note: The following are illustrations of the grade mark requirements under s. ATCP 81.22 (2) (a):

   2. (b) Wisconsin grade B. The grade mark for cheese graded as Wisconsin grade B shall consist of a diamond-shaped figure with the grader’s license number and the words “Wisconsin grade B”enclosed with the border. The type shall be spaced and designed so as to be legible and present a symmetrical appearance.

      Note: The following is an illustration of the grade mark requirements under s. ATCP 81.22 (2) (b).

   3. (c) Wisconsin grade C. The grade mark for cheese graded as Wisconsin grade C shall consist of approximately a 1 inch square with the grader’s license number and the words “Wisconsin grade C” enclosed within the square. The type shall be spaced and designed so as to be legible and present a symmetrical appearance.

      Note: The following is an illustration of the grade mark requirements under s. ATCP 81.22 (2) (c).

   4. (d) Wisconsin grade D. The grade label for cheese graded as Wisconsin grade D shall consist of the words “Wisconsin grade D”on 3 separate lines, followed immediately with the grader’s license number below the grade designation. The information may not be enclosed within any figure, but shall be spaced and designed so as to be legible and present a symmetrical appearance.

      Note: The following is an illustration of the grade mark requirements under s. ATCP 81.22 (2) (d).

   5. (e) Undergrade. The grade label for cheese graded as Undergrade shall consist of the word “Undergrade” followed with the grader’s license number immediately below. The information may not be enclosed within any figure, but shall be spaced and designed so as to be legible and present a symmetrical appearance.

      Note: The following is an illustration of the grade mark requirements under s. ATCP 81.22 (2) (e).

   6. (f) Not graded. All cheese which has not been graded under this chapter shall be plainly designated with the words “Not Graded” in prominent or conspicuous type size. The designation shall be applied to the cheese, the cheese wrapper or container, or to a tag attached to the container. The designation shall be affixed at the manufacturing location or at the location where the cheese is first delivered in this state, prior to further sale or shipment. The “Not Graded” designation may not be used as an alternate grade determination if grade correction is necessary.

History

History: Cr. Register, April, 1993, No. 448, eff. 5-1-93; am. (1) (b) and (2) (a), r. (1) (c), renum. (1) (d) to (h) to be (1) (c) to (g), Register, January, 1996, No. 481, eff. 2-1-96; CR 99-151: am. (1), Register July 2001, No. 547 eff. 8-1-01.