California Code of Regulations Title 3 - Food and Agriculture
California Code of Regulations – Title 3: Food and Agriculture
Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) governs food and agriculture in the state. This title is administered primarily by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and its associated boards and commissions.
Overview of Title 3 - Food and Agriculture
Title 3 is divided into Divisions, each pertaining to a specific area of agricultural and food regulation. These regulations supplement and interpret California’s statutory law under the Food and Agricultural Code.
Main Divisions of Title 3 CCR
Division 1 - Administration
General provisions and definitions, and administrative procedures for the CDFA.
Division 2 - Department of Food and Agriculture
Subdivided into several chapters covering:
Plant health and pest control
Animal health and food safety
Organic standards
Dairy marketing and inspection
Nursery stock, seeds, and fertilizers
Egg safety and quality
Milk pooling and stabilization programs
Division 3 - Commodity Marketing
Establishes marketing orders and agreements for specific agricultural commodities (e.g., almonds, citrus, strawberries), including quality standards and promotional activities.
Division 4 - Economic Poisons (Pesticides)
Addresses pesticide registration, usage, and safety. Often overlaps with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Division 5 - Fertilizing Materials
Covers rules for fertilizer labeling, registration, and quality control.
Common Topics Covered
Pest and disease control programs (e.g., quarantine regulations)
Organic certification and enforcement
Milk grading and dairy farm sanitation
Weights and measures used in agricultural products
Food safety rules for produce and livestock
Licensing for agricultural professionals and businesses
Authority and Updates
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is the primary enforcing agency.
Rules are adopted under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and published in the CCR.
Updates can be tracked through the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and CDFA regulatory notices.
RELATED Blog
0 comments