(a)
At the time of sale to the consumer by a retail store of any product designated in this section there shall appear upon the package or container of such product the date established by the processor as the date upon which, in order to insure quality, such product is normally removed from the shelf or similar location from which the product is offered for sale to the consumer.
(b)
This section applies to the following products:
(1)
Market milk.
(2)
Market cream.
(3)
Any milk product which is required by any provision of this code, or by any regulation adopted by the director pursuant thereto, to be made from market milk or any component or derivative of market milk.
(c)
This section does not apply to any milk or milk products processed, packaged, and sold by distributors directly to consumers.
(d)
This section does not apply to any bulk shipments of milk or milk products between distributors.
(e)
The director shall, in compliance with applicable provisions of this code and Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11371) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and after public hearing or hearings, adopt regulations pertaining to (1) responsibility for affixing to packages or other containers the quality assurance date provided for in this section; (2) the manner, style, form, and place of affixation of such date to packages and other containers in a conspicuous place in a form which is readily seen and easily understood by the buyer; and (3) the administration and enforcement of the requirements of this section.