ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1538

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 11, 1996

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1538.

      This bill provides that it is an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any person to sell or offer to sell any beverage container containing a juice drink that is packaged in a design or shape that is routinely used in the packaging of alcoholic beverages or any food, candy or confectionery product that is packaged in a design or shape that is routinely used in the packaging of cigarettes or other tobacco products.

      Violators are subject to the penalties set forth in the consumer fraud law. Those penalties may include a fine of no more than $7,500 for a first offense and no more than $15,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, the Attorney General is authorized to seek and obtain in a summary action an injunction prohibiting any violator from continuing to engage in the unlawful practice.

      The committee noted that the bill is not intended to prohibit or restrict the sale of food or juice products in aseptic packages, which are more commonly known as drink boxes or juice boxes.