Sec. 8111.
(1) A person shall not manufacture for sale, offer or expose for sale, sell or deliver, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell or deliver, any vinegar not in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) The word “vinegar” as used in this section is limited to a water solution of acetic acid derived by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentation of fruits, grain, vegetables, sugar, or syrups and if not distilled must carry in solution the extractive matter derived solely from the substances indicated on the label as its source.
(3) Vinegar shall not be sold or offered for sale as apple or cider vinegar which is not the legitimate product of pure apple juice. The term “cider vinegar” or “apple cider vinegar” as used in this section means vinegar derived by the alcoholic and subsequent acetous fermentation of the expressed juice of apples, the acidity, solids, and ash of which have been derived exclusively from apples and which contains not less than 4% of absolute acetic acid. Cider vinegar which, during the course of manufacture, has developed in excess of 4% acetic acid may be reduced to a strength of not less than 4%, and cider vinegar so reduced is not regarded as adulterated.
(4) Every manufacturer or producer of cider vinegar shall plainly label on the head of the cask, barrel, keg, or other container of such vinegar, his or her name, place of business, and the words “cider vinegar” or “apple cider vinegar”. A person shall not mark or label as cider vinegar or apple cider vinegar any package containing that which is not cider vinegar. Any vinegar sold or offered for sale shall be marked or labeled plainly upon the package or container from which it is sold and also on the original package or container in which it is sold or delivered, in a manner that shows its true character and source.
(5) Vinegar sold or offered for sale as sugar vinegar shall be strictly and distinctly fermented from sucrose, molasses, refiner's syrup, or nutritive carbohydrate sweetener.
(6) Vinegar sold or offered for sale as malt vinegar shall be strictly and distinctly fermented from malted barley, cereals, or a concentrate of malted barley or cereals, which has been enzymatically converted by the malting process.
(7) Vinegar shall not be sold or offered for sale in which foreign substances, other than substances permitted under this act, drugs, or acids have been introduced. Vinegar shall not contain any artificial color except as permitted under this act. Vinegar shall contain not less than 4 grams of acetic acid per 100 cubic centimeters at 20° centigrade. If vinegar contains any artificial substance, except as permitted under this act, or contains less than the required amount of acidity, it shall be considered to be adulterated.
(8) Vinegar made by fermentation and oxidation of the juice of grapes or the acetous fermentation of wine, without the intervention of distillation, shall be labeled with the name of the fruit or substance from which the vinegar has been made.
(9) Vinegar made by acetous fermentation of dilute distilled ethyl alcohol shall be labeled “distilled vinegar”, “white distilled vinegar”, “distilled white vinegar”, or “white vinegar”. Vinegar, except flavored vinegar and blended vinegar, made in part from distilled vinegar shall be conspicuously labeled “distilled vinegar” and shall have the component vinegars declared in the ingredient statement.
(10) Flavored vinegar shall be labeled “__________ flavored vinegar”. The space shall be filled in with the name of the characteristic flavor. All of the words in the name shall appear on a background of contrasting color. The flavor name shall be in letters at least 1/2 the size of the letters in the word “vinegar”. The word “flavored” shall be in letters at least 1/2 the size of the letters in the flavor name.
(11) Blended vinegar shall be labeled “blended vinegar” or “__________ vinegar”, the blank to be filled in with a name which accurately describes the nature or function of the vinegar. All of the words in the name shall be in letters on a background of contrasting color.
(12) As used in this section:
(a) “Blended vinegar” means the acetous fermentation of a blend of raw materials or a blend of 2 or more of the vinegars defined in this chapter but not including apple cider vinegar.
(b) “Flavored vinegar” means vinegar to which garlic, shallots, chili, tarragon, herbs, or spices, or the extract of any of those substances, is added to impart a characteristic flavor.
History: 2000, Act 92, Eff. Nov. 8, 2000
Last modified: October 10, 2016