Jones v. Rath Packing Co.

430 U.S. 519 (1977)

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Jones v. Rath Packing Co.

United States Supreme Court
430 U.S. 519 (1977)

AR

Facts

Joseph Jones (defendant), Director of the Department of Weights and Measures in Riverside County, California, ordered bacon packaged by Rath Packing Co. and flour packaged by three millers (plaintiffs) to be removed from sale because the packages’ net weight was less than the weights indicated on the packages. In seeking removal, Jones alleged that Rath and the Millers had violated California food laws. Rath sued Jones, arguing that the California food laws regarding product weight were preempted by the Federal Meat Inspection Act with regard to the bacon and by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act with regard to the flour. The district court ruled in Rath’s favor, and the court of appeals affirmed. The United States Supreme Court granted cert.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Marshall, J.)

Dissent (Rehnquist, J.)

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