Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 21 : Section 342


   
U.S. Code as of: 01/19/04
Section 342. Adulterated food

      A food shall be deemed to be adulterated - 
    (a) Poisonous, insanitary, etc., ingredients
      (1) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious
    substance which may render it injurious to health; but in case the
    substance is not an added substance such food shall not be
    considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such
    substance in such food does not ordinarily render it injurious to
    health.(!1) (2)(A) if it bears or contains any added poisonous or
    added deleterious substance (other than a substance that is a
    pesticide chemical residue in or on a raw agricultural commodity or
    processed food, a food additive, a color additive, or a new animal
    drug) that is unsafe within the meaning of section 346 of this
    title; or (B) if it bears or contains a pesticide chemical residue
    that is unsafe within the meaning of section 346a(a) of this title;
    or (C) if it is or if it bears or contains (i) any food additive
    that is unsafe within the meaning of section 348 of this title; or
    (ii) a new animal drug (or conversion product thereof) that is
    unsafe within the meaning of section 360b of this title; or (3) if
    it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or
    decomposed substance, or if it is otherwise unfit for food; or (4)
    if it has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary
    conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or
    whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health; or (5) if it
    is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or of an
    animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter; or (6) if its
    container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or
    deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to
    health; or (7) if it has been intentionally subjected to radiation,
    unless the use of the radiation was in conformity with a regulation
    or exemption in effect pursuant to section 348 of this title.

    (b) Absence, substitution, or addition of constituents
      (1) If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part
    omitted or abstracted therefrom; or (2) if any substance has been
    substituted wholly or in part therefor; or (3) if damage or
    inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or (4) if any
    substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as
    to increase its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength,
    or make it appear better or of greater value than it is.
    (c) Color additives
      If it is, or it bears or contains, a color additive which is
    unsafe within the meaning of section 379e(a) of this title.
    (d) Confectionery containing alcohol or nonnutritive substance
      If it is confectionery, and - 
        (1) has partially or completely imbedded therein any
      nonnutritive object, except that this subparagraph shall not
      apply in the case of any nonnutritive object if, in the judgment
      of the Secretary as provided by regulations, such object is of
      practical functional value to the confectionery product and would
      not render the product injurious or hazardous to health;
        (2) bears or contains any alcohol other than alcohol not in
      excess of one-half of 1 per centum by volume derived solely from
      the use of flavoring extracts, except that this clause shall not
      apply to confectionery which is introduced or delivered for
      introduction into, or received or held for sale in, interstate
      commerce if the sale of such confectionery is permitted under the
      laws of the State in which such confectionery is intended to be
      offered for sale;
        (3) bears or contains any nonnutritive substance, except that
      this subparagraph shall not apply to a safe nonnutritive
      substance which is in or on confectionery by reason of its use
      for some practical functional purpose in the manufacture,
      packaging, or storage of such confectionery if the use of the
      substance does not promote deception of the consumer or otherwise
      result in adulteration or misbranding in violation of any
      provision of this chapter, except that the Secretary may, for the
      purpose of avoiding or resolving uncertainty as to the
      application of this subparagraph, issue regulations allowing or
      prohibiting the use of particular nonnutritive substances.
    (e) Oleomargarine containing filthy, putrid, etc., matter
      If it is oleomargarine or margarine or butter and any of the raw
    material used therein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy,
    putrid, or decomposed substance, or such oleomargarine or margarine
    or butter is otherwise unfit for food.
    (f) Dietary supplement or ingredient: safety
      (1) If it is a dietary supplement or contains a dietary
    ingredient that - 
        (A) presents a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or
      injury under - 
          (i) conditions of use recommended or suggested in labeling,
        or
          (ii) if no conditions of use are suggested or recommended in
        the labeling, under ordinary conditions of use;

        (B) is a new dietary ingredient for which there is inadequate
      information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient
      does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or
      injury;
        (C) the Secretary declares to pose an imminent hazard to public
      health or safety, except that the authority to make such
      declaration shall not be delegated and the Secretary shall
      promptly after such a declaration initiate a proceeding in
      accordance with sections 554 and 556 of title 5 to affirm or
      withdraw the declaration; or
        (D) is or contains a dietary ingredient that renders it
      adulterated under paragraph (a)(1) under the conditions of use
      recommended or suggested in the labeling of such dietary
      supplement.

    In any proceeding under this subparagraph, the United States shall
    bear the burden of proof on each element to show that a dietary
    supplement is adulterated. The court shall decide any issue under
    this paragraph on a de novo basis.
      (2) Before the Secretary may report to a United States attorney a
    violation of paragraph (!2) (1)(A) for a civil proceeding, the
    person against whom such proceeding would be initiated shall be
    given appropriate notice and the opportunity to present views,
    orally and in writing, at least 10 days before such notice, with
    regard to such proceeding.

    (g) Dietary supplement: manufacturing practices
      (1) If it is a dietary supplement and it has been prepared,
    packed, or held under conditions that do not meet current good
    manufacturing practice regulations, including regulations
    requiring, when necessary, expiration date labeling, issued by the
    Secretary under subparagraph (2).
      (2) The Secretary may by regulation prescribe good manufacturing
    practices for dietary supplements. Such regulations shall be
    modeled after current good manufacturing practice regulations for
    food and may not impose standards for which there is no current and
    generally available analytical methodology. No standard of current
    good manufacturing practice may be imposed unless such standard is
    included in a regulation promulgated after notice and opportunity
    for comment in accordance with chapter 5 of title 5.
    (h) Reoffer of food previously denied admission
      If it is an article of food imported or offered for import into
    the United States and the article of food has previously been
    refused admission under section 381(a) of this title, unless the
    person reoffering the article affirmatively establishes, at the
    expense of the owner or consignee of the article, that the article
    complies with the applicable requirements of this chapter, as
    determined by the Secretary.



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