SANTA FE, N.M. -- Some say chile in New Mexico is a big deal. It's so much of a big deal, the legislature there wants to make it illegal to tell customers they're being served New Mexico chiles when the peppers were actually grown somewhere else.
According to KOAT-TV, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill last Friday subjecting restaurants, stores and roadside stands to the New Mexico Chile Advertising Act. Those places would face an injunction if they violate the act.
The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Andy Nunez who is from no other place than the chile capital of Hatch. According to him, the bill is intended to bring honesty to advertising and protect growers in New Mexico. He says chile producers from other states and countries are labeling their goods as New Mexico chile when really it is not.
The State Department of Agriculture would be the enforcers, according to the Las Cruces Sun Times. Staff members would be allowed to inspect the advertising records of businesses.
The Senate in New Mexico already passed a similar companion bill by a 34-0 vote.
