Section 2-13-92

Right of entry of commissioner; investigations and inspections; examination of records; resisting or interfering with commissioner.

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries and inspectors, employees and agents of the Department of Agriculture and Industries shall have power and authority to enter upon any premises where milk being or having been shipped or transported into the State of Alabama is processed, bottled, collected, cooled or otherwise handled or to stop and inspect any truck or other vehicle transporting milk into this state, except as provided in this article, to be sold or offered for sale in this state and to make such investigations, examinations or inspections as may be necessary to determine whether such milk, cream, milk products or by-products thereof being shipped or transported into this state are produced, distributed, processed or otherwise handled in accordance with the requirements of this article and rules and regulations promulgated hereunder. Such power and authority shall also include authority to examine the records of any milk processing establishment for the purpose of determining the origin or place of production of milk handled at such establishment to the end that it may be determined whether such milk is produced and handled in accordance with the requirements of this article. All information received by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or any employee, official or agent of said commissioner as a result of the examination of records of any milk processing establishment shall be regarded and considered confidential, and it shall be unlawful for any official, employee or agent of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to reveal any of said confidential information. It shall be unlawful for any person to resist, prevent or refuse to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or inspectors, employees or agents of the Department of Agriculture and Industries entrance or access to premises as authorized under this article or to otherwise interfere or prevent such official or employee from carrying out the provisions of this article.

(Acts 1955, No. 570, p. 1239, §5.)