2023 Tennessee Code › Title 53 - FOOD, DRUGS AND COSMETICS (§§ 53-1-101 — 53-15-103) › Chapter 3 - DAIRY LAW OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE (§§ 53-3-101 — 53-3-309) › Part 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 53-3-101 — 53-3-120) › Section 53-3-106 - Manufacturer, plant and distributor licenses

(a)
(1)
Frozen Dessert Manufacturer's License. For purposes of licensing under this chapter, a dairy products plant that manufactures or packages frozen desserts, such as ice cream, ice cream mix, ice milk, ice milk mix, ice, or ice sherbets, or any trade product made in semblance of these products or that may be used as a substitute for these products, shall be licensed as a frozen dessert manufacturer. Any person making frozen dessert for sale shall be required to procure from the commissioner an annual frozen dessert manufacturer's license for each location or plant where frozen dessert is manufactured. The license fee for a frozen dessert manufacturer's license shall be set by rule pursuant to §
43-1-703
.
(2)
Dairy Plant or Trade Products Plant License, or Both. A dairy products plant or trade products plant that manufactures, processes, or packages any dairy products or trade products other than those listed as frozen desserts in subdivision (a)(1) shall be required to have a dairy plant license. Every person buying or receiving milk, cream, or dairy products from another for manufacturing, processing, or packaging shall be required to procure from the commissioner an annual dairy plant or trade products plant license for each location where milk, cream, dairy products, or trade products are received for the purpose of manufacturing, processing, or packaging. The license fees for a plant license shall be set by rule pursuant to §
43-1-703
.
(3)
Receiving Plant License. Any plant where fluid milk or cream not in consumer packages is received on consignment or otherwise, stored, or transported, but where packaging, processing, or manufacturing does not occur, shall be required to have an annual receiving plant license for each location or plant where milk or cream is received. The license fee for a receiving plant license shall be set by rule pursuant to §
43-1-703
.
(4)
Distributor's License. Every person buying or receiving from another person dairy products or frozen desserts or trade products, as defined in this chapter for the purpose of resale, shall be required to procure from the commissioner an annual distributor's license; provided, that no distributor's license shall be required of any license holder, licensed under this section, that delivers or distributes its own products. No distributor's license shall be required of any person who sells dairy products or trade products in hotels, restaurants, retail stores, or supermarkets if the dairy products or trade products have been delivered to the location of the hotel, restaurant, retail store, or supermarket by a licensed frozen dessert manufacturer, licensed dairy plant or trade product plant operator, or licensed distributor. No distributor's license shall be required of a receiving plant. The license fee for a distributor's license shall be set by rule pursuant to §
43-1-703
.
(b)
(1)
(A)
Application for the license provided for in this section shall be made on forms prescribed by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by the required fee.
(B)
The license is to be issued by the commissioner after inspection and approval by the commissioner of the sanitary conditions of the place of business of the applicant.
(C)
Persons buying or receiving milk or cream from another, for sale or manufacture on the basis of the chemical or physical constituents in the milk or cream, or manufacturing or offering for sale dairy products or trade products as defined in this chapter, shall comply with and be governed by this chapter and all rules and regulations issued by the commissioner under authority of this chapter.
(D)
All licenses provided for in this section shall become due on July 1 of each year, and shall not be transferable.
(2)
The commissioner, in issuing or renewing a license, shall give equal consideration to the location and person requesting the license, and the commissioner shall refuse to issue a license if, for any reason, in the commissioner's opinion, the location is unsatisfactory or the person is unqualified.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 485,s 34, eff. 7/1/2015.
Acts 1970, ch. 577, § 2; T.C.A. § 52-306; Acts 1997, ch. 75, § 1; 2002, ch. 640, §§ 25 - 28.