SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – A new law aimed at protecting authentic New Mexico chile is set to go into effect.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that impostor products of the state’s iconic agricultural product will be guilty of trademark infringement beginning Sunday thanks to a new protective law.
The New Mexico Chile Advertising Act makes it unlawful for vendors to label fresh or processed chile as being from New Mexico unless it was actually grown in the state.
Vendors subject to the new law include groceries, restaurants, convenience stores, farmers’ markets and roadside vegetable stands.
Hatch farmer Jimmy Lytle said Monday he’s hopeful the new law will boost the chile industry in New Mexico.
All too often, he said, retailed chile is dubbed as New Mexico-grown, when in reality, it’s from other states.
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