Section 2771 - Alfalfa Products(a) General Provisions.(1) Alfalfa products shall be prepared only from the processing of entire alfalfa hay without the addition of foreign materials, except as specifically permitted herein, and shall not contain more than 10 percent of other crops and weeds.(2) Alfalfa products shall contain not less than 15 percent crude protein and not more than 30 percent crude fiber.(3) If alfalfa products do not comply with the standards in every respect, the term "forage" must be substituted for the word "alfalfa" in the name of the product.(4) A guarantee of the beta carotene content of alfalfa products expressed in milligrams per pound, and accompanied by an expiration date may be included on the label if the distributor so desires. Guarantees made on the label (including the invoice), on the delivery ticket, on a "certificate of analysis," or other document associated with the distribution of an alfalfa product are to be in terms of milligrams per pound of beta carotene without reference to quantity of Vitamin A which may be derived therefrom by the animal. Example: Beta carotene 60 milligrams per pound (a source of Vitamin A).(5) Brand names, such as "Doe's [X]% Alfalfa Meal with Animal Fat or Vegetable Oil," must be used on the label to show that the product is a mixture and not simply alfalfa meal. The chemical name of the antioxidant or antioxidants must be listed in the ingredient statement.(b) Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate is the product obtained from the extracted juice of freshly cut alfalfa by coagulation, separation from the alfalfa solubles, and subsequent dehydration. The product should express both protein and Xanthophyll guarantees.(c) Concentrated Alfalfa Solubles is the product obtained by the concentration of the liquid remaining after the separation of Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate from the juice of freshly cut alfalfa. The moisture level should not exceed 50 percent.(d) Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal or Pellets is the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, reasonably free of other crop plants, weeds, and mold, which has been finely ground and dried by thermal means under controlled conditions.(e) Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal or Pellet is the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, reasonably free of other crop plants, weeds, and mold, that has not been stored in bales or in stacks as sun-cured alfalfa hay prior to being ground and dried by thermal means under controlled conditions.(f) Suncured Alfalfa Meal, or Pellets or Ground Alfalfa Hay is the aerial portion of the alfalfa plant, reasonably free of other crop plants, weeds, and mold, which has been dried by solar means, stored as bales or stacks, and finely or coarsely ground. If it is chopped instead of ground, it must be designated as "Suncured Chopped Alfalfa" or "Chopped Alfalfa Hay." If the ingredient is further dehydrated by thermal means after being ground, it must be designated as "Dehydrated Suncured Alfalfa Meal, or Pellets."Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 3, § 2771
Note: Authority cited: Sections 407 and 14902, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Sections 14992 and 15011, Food and Agricultural Code.
1. New section filed 11-12-2024 as an emergency; operative 11/12/2024 (Register 2024, No. 46). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 5-12-2025 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.