US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

21 U.S.C. § 334

Seizure

(a)

Grounds and jurisdiction

(1)
ll Any article of food, drug, or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded when introduced into or while in interstate commerce or while held for sale (whether or not the first sale) after shipment in interstate commerce, or which may not, under the provisions of section 331(), 344, or 355 of this title, be introduced into interstate commerce, shall be liable to be proceeded against while in interstate commerce, or at any time thereafter, on libel of information and condemned in any district court of the United States or United States court of a Territory within the jurisdiction of which the article is found. No libel for condemnation shall be instituted under this chapter, for any alleged misbranding if there is pending in any court a libel for condemnation proceeding under this chapter based upon the same alleged misbranding, and not more than one such proceeding shall be instituted if no such proceeding is so pending, except that such limitations shall not apply (A) when such misbranding has been the basis of a prior judgment in favor of the United States, in a criminal, injunction, or libel for condemnation proceeding under this chapter, or (B) when the Secretary has probable cause to believe from facts found, without hearing, by him or any officer or employee of the Department that the misbranded article is dangerous to health, or that the labeling of the misbranded article is fraudulent, or would be in a material respect misleading to the injury or damage of the purchaser or consumer. In any case where the number of libel for condemnation proceedings is limited as above provided the proceeding pending or instituted shall, on application of the claimant, seasonably made, be removed for trial to any district agreed upon by stipulation between the parties, or, in case of failure to so stipulate within a reasonable time, the claimant may apply to the court of the district in which the seizure has been made, and such court (after giving the United States attorney for such district reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard) shall by order, unless good cause to the contrary is shown, specify a district of reasonable proximity to the claimant’s principal place of business, to which the case shall be removed for trial.
(2)
The following shall be liable to be proceeded against at any time on libel of information and condemned in any district court of the United States or United States court of a Territory within the jurisdiction of which they are found: (A) Any drug that is a counterfeit drug, (B) Any container of a counterfeit drug, (C) Any punch, die, plate, stone, labeling, container, or other thing used or designed for use in making a counterfeit drug or drugs, (D) Any adulterated or misbranded device, (E) Any adulterated or misbranded tobacco product, (F) Any device that is a counterfeit device, (G) Any container, packaging, or labeling of a counterfeit device, and (H) Any punch, die, plate, stone, labeling, container, or other thing used or designed for use in making a counterfeit device or devices.
(3)
(A)
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no libel for condemnation may be instituted under paragraph (1) or (2) against any food which—
(i)
section 343(a)(2) of this title is misbranded under because of its advertising, and
(ii)
is being held for sale to the ultimate consumer in an establishment other than an establishment owned or operated by a manufacturer, packer, or distributor of the food.
(B)
A libel for condemnation may be instituted under paragraph (1) or (2) against a food described in subparagraph (A) if—
(i)
(I)
section 343(a)(2) of this title the food’s advertising which resulted in the food being misbranded under was disseminated in the establishment in which the food is being held for sale to the ultimate consumer,
(II)
such advertising was disseminated by, or under the direction of, the owner or operator of such establishment, or
(III)
all or part of the cost of such advertising was paid by such owner or operator; and
(ii)
the owner or operator of such establishment used such advertising in the establishment to promote the sale of the food.
(b)

Procedure; multiplicity of pending proceedings

The article, equipment, or other thing proceeded against shall be liable to seizure by process pursuant to the libel, and the procedure in cases under this section shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the procedure in admiralty; except that on demand of either party any issue of fact joined in any such case shall be tried by jury. When libel for condemnation proceedings under this section, involving the same claimant and the same issues of adulteration or misbranding, are pending in two or more jurisdictions, such pending proceedings, upon application of the claimant seasonably made to the court of one such jurisdiction, shall be consolidated for trial by order of such court, and tried in (1) any district selected by the claimant where one of such proceedings is pending; or (2) a district agreed upon by stipulation between the parties. If no order for consolidation is so made within a reasonable time, the claimant may apply to the court of one such jurisdiction and such court (after giving the United States attorney for such district reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard) shall by order, unless good cause to the contrary is shown, specify a district of reasonable proximity to the claimant’s principal place of business, in which all such pending proceedings shall be consolidated for trial and tried. Such order of consolidation shall not apply so as to require the removal of any case the date for trial of which has been fixed. The court granting such order shall give prompt notification thereof to the other courts having jurisdiction of the cases covered thereby.

(c)

Availability of samples of seized goods prior to trial

The court at any time after seizure up to a reasonable time before trial shall by order allow any party to a condemnation proceeding, his attorney or agent, to obtain a representative sample of the article seized and a true copy of the analysis, if any, on which the proceeding is based and the identifying marks or numbers, if any, of the packages from which the samples analyzed were obtained.

(d)

Disposition of goods after decree of condemnation; claims for remission or mitigation of forfeitures

(1)
section 381(e) of this titlesection 381(e)(1) of this titlesection 381(e) of this title Any food, drug, device, tobacco product, or cosmetic condemned under this section shall, after entry of the decree, be disposed of by destruction or sale as the court may, in accordance with the provisions of this section, direct and the proceeds thereof, if sold, less the legal costs and charges, shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States; but such article shall not be sold under such decree contrary to the provisions of this chapter or the laws of the jurisdiction in which sold. After entry of the decree and upon the payment of the costs of such proceedings and the execution of a good and sufficient bond conditioned that such article shall not be sold or disposed of contrary to the provisions of this chapter or the laws of any State or Territory in which sold, the court may by order direct that such article be delivered to the owner thereof to be destroyed or brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter, under the supervision of an officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary, and the expenses of such supervision shall be paid by the person obtaining release of the article under bond. If the article was imported into the United States and the person seeking its release establishes (A) that the adulteration, misbranding, or violation did not occur after the article was imported, and (B) that he had no cause for believing that it was adulterated, misbranded, or in violation before it was released from customs custody, the court may permit the article to be delivered to the owner for exportation in lieu of destruction upon a showing by the owner that all of the conditions of can and will be met. The provisions of this sentence shall not apply where condemnation is based upon violation of section 342(a)(1), (2), or (6), section 351(a)(3), section 352(j), or section 361(a) or (d) of this title. Where such exportation is made to the original foreign supplier, then subparagraphs (A) and (B) of and the preceding sentence shall not be applicable; and in all cases of exportation the bond shall be conditioned that the article shall not be sold or disposed of until the applicable conditions of have been met. Any person seeking to export an imported article pursuant to any of the provisions of this subsection shall establish that the article was intended for export at the time the article entered commerce. Any article condemned by reason of its being an article which may not, under section 344 or 355 of this title, be introduced into interstate commerce, shall be disposed of by destruction.
(2)
The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall, to the extent deemed appropriate by the court, apply to any equipment or other thing which is not otherwise within the scope of such paragraph and which is referred to in paragraph (2) of subsection (a).
(3)
Whenever in any proceeding under this section, involving paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the condemnation of any equipment or thing (other than a drug) is decreed, the court shall allow the claim of any claimant, to the extent of such claimant’s interest, for remission or mitigation of such forfeiture if such claimant proves to the satisfaction of the court (i) that he has not committed or caused to be committed any prohibited act referred to in such paragraph (2) and has no interest in any drug referred to therein, (ii) that he has an interest in such equipment or other thing as owner or lienor or otherwise, acquired by him in good faith, and (iii) that he at no time had any knowledge or reason to believe that such equipment or other thing was being or would be used in, or to facilitate, the violation of laws of the United States relating to counterfeit drugs.
(e)

Costs

When a decree of condemnation is entered against the article, court costs and fees, and storage and other proper expenses, shall be awarded against the person, if any, intervening as claimant of the article.

(f)

Removal of case for trial

In the case of removal for trial of any case as provided by subsection (a) or (b)—
(1)
The clerk of the court from which removal is made shall promptly transmit to the court in which the case is to be tried all records in the case necessary in order that such court may exercise jurisdiction.
(2)
The court to which such case was removed shall have the powers and be subject to the duties, for purposes of such case, which the court from which removal was made would have had, or to which such court would have been subject, if such case had not been removed.
(g)

Administrative restraint; detention orders

(1)
section 374 of this titlesection 332 of this title If during an inspection conducted under of a facility or a vehicle, a device, drug, or tobacco product which the officer or employee making the inspection has reason to believe is adulterated or misbranded is found in such facility or vehicle, such officer or employee may order the device, drug, or tobacco product detained (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary) for a reasonable period which may not exceed twenty days unless the Secretary determines that a period of detention greater than twenty days is required to institute an action under subsection (a) or , in which case he may authorize a detention period of not to exceed thirty days. Regulations of the Secretary prescribed under this paragraph shall require that before a device, drug, or tobacco product may be ordered detained under this paragraph the Secretary or an officer or employee designated by the Secretary approve such order. A detention order under this paragraph may require the labeling or marking of a device, drug, or tobacco product during the period of its detention for the purpose of identifying the device, drug, or tobacco product as detained. Any person who would be entitled to claim a device, drug, or tobacco product if it were seized under subsection (a) may appeal to the Secretary a detention of such device, drug, or tobacco product under this paragraph. Within five days of the date an appeal of a detention is filed with the Secretary, the Secretary shall after affording opportunity for an informal hearing by order confirm the detention or revoke it.
(2)
(A)
Except as authorized by subparagraph (B), a device, drug, or tobacco product subject to a detention order issued under paragraph (1) shall not be moved by any person from the place at which it is ordered detained until—
(i)
released by the Secretary, or
(ii)
the expiration of the detention period applicable to such order,
whichever occurs first.
(B)
A device or drug subject to a detention order under paragraph (1) may be moved—
(i)
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, and
(ii)
if not in final form for shipment, at the discretion of the manufacturer of the device or drug for the purpose of completing the work required to put it in such form.
(h)

Administrative detention of foods

(1)

Detention authority

(A)

In general

An officer or qualified employee of the Food and Drug Administration may order the detention, in accordance with this subsection, of any article of food that is found during an inspection, examination, or investigation under this chapter conducted by such officer or qualified employee, if the officer or qualified employee has reason to believe that such article is adulterated or misbranded.

(B)

Secretary’s approval

An article of food may be ordered detained under subparagraph (A) only if the Secretary or an official designated by the Secretary approves the order. An official may not be so designated unless the official is the director of the district under this chapter in which the article involved is located, or is an official senior to such director.

(2)

Period of detention

section 332 of this titleAn article of food may be detained under paragraph (1) for a reasonable period, not to exceed 20 days, unless a greater period, not to exceed 30 days, is necessary, to enable the Secretary to institute an action under subsection (a) or . The Secretary shall by regulation provide for procedures for instituting such action on an expedited basis with respect to perishable foods.

(3)

Security of detained article

section 381(b) of this titleAn order under paragraph (1) with respect to an article of food may require that such article be labeled or marked as detained, and shall require that the article be removed to a secure facility, as appropriate. An article subject to such an order shall not be transferred by any person from the place at which the article is ordered detained, or from the place to which the article is so removed, as the case may be, until released by the Secretary or until the expiration of the detention period applicable under such order, whichever occurs first. This subsection may not be construed as authorizing the delivery of the article pursuant to the execution of a bond while the article is subject to the order, and does not authorize the delivery of the article pursuant to the execution of a bond while the article is subject to the order.

(4)

Appeal of detention order

(A)

In general

section 702 of title 5With respect to an article of food ordered detained under paragraph (1), any person who would be entitled to be a claimant for such article if the article were seized under subsection (a) may appeal the order to the Secretary. Within five days after such an appeal is filed, the Secretary, after providing opportunity for an informal hearing, shall confirm or terminate the order involved, and such confirmation by the Secretary shall be considered a final agency action for purposes of . If during such five-day period the Secretary fails to provide such an opportunity, or to confirm or terminate such order, the order is deemed to be terminated.

(B)

Effect of instituting court action

section 332 of this titleThe process under subparagraph (A) for the appeal of an order under paragraph (1) terminates if the Secretary institutes an action under subsection (a) or regarding the article of food involved.

(i)

Procedures for promulgating regulations

(1)

In general

In promulgating a regulation implementing this section, the Secretary shall—
(A)
issue a notice of proposed rulemaking that includes the proposed regulation;
(B)
provide a period of not less than 60 days for comments on the proposed regulation; and
(C)
publish the final regulation not less than 30 days before the regulation’s effective date.
(2)

Restrictions

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, in implementing this section, the Secretary shall only promulgate regulations as described in paragraph (1).

June 25, 1938, ch. 675, § 30452 Stat. 1044June 24, 1948, ch. 613, § 262 Stat. 582Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 350, § 367 Stat. 477Pub. L. 85–25071 Stat. 567Pub. L. 89–74, § 679 Stat. 232Pub. L. 90–639, § 4(b)82 Stat. 1362Pub. L. 91–513, title II, § 701(c)84 Stat. 1281Pub. L. 94–278, title V, § 502(a)(2)(C)90 Stat. 411Pub. L. 94–29590 Stat. 576Pub. L. 102–300, § 6(c)106 Stat. 240Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(f)107 Stat. 775Pub. L. 105–115, title IV, § 418111 Stat. 2379Pub. L. 107–188, title III, § 303(a)116 Stat. 663Pub. L. 110–85, title IX, § 912(b)(1)121 Stat. 952Pub. L. 111–31, div. A, title I, § 103(d)123 Stat. 1836Pub. L. 111–353, title II, § 207(a)124 Stat. 3944Pub. L. 112–144, title VII, § 709(a)126 Stat. 1069Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title II, § 2513(c)136 Stat. 5805(, ; , ; , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (d), , , 1282; , , ; , §§ 3(c), 7(a), , , 582; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (b)(2), , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–3282022—Subsec. (a)(2)(F) to (H). added cls. (F) to (H).

Pub. L. 112–144, § 709(a)(1)2012—Subsec. (g)(1). , inserted “, drug,” after “device” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 112–144, § 709(a)(2)Subsec. (g)(2)(A). , inserted “, drug,” after “(B), a device”.

Pub. L. 112–144, § 709(a)(3)Subsec. (g)(2)(B). , inserted “or drug” after “device” in introductory provisions and in cl. (ii).

Pub. L. 112–144, § 709(b)(2)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).

Pub. L. 111–3532011—Subsec. (h)(1)(A). substituted “reason to believe” for “credible evidence or information indicating” and “is adulterated or misbranded” for “presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals”.

Pub. L. 111–31, § 103(d)(1)2009—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). , added cl. (E).

Pub. L. 111–31, § 103(d)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , inserted “tobacco product,” after “device,” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 111–31, § 103(d)(3)Subsec. (g)(1). , inserted “or tobacco product” after “device” wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 111–31, § 103(d)(4)Subsec. (g)(2)(A). , inserted “or tobacco product” after “device” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 110–85ll2007—Subsec. (a)(1). substituted “section 331(), 344, or 355” for “section 344 or 355”.

Pub. L. 107–1882002—Subsec. (h). added subsec. (h).

Pub. L. 105–115section 381(e)(1) of this titlesection 381(e) of this title1997—Subsec. (d)(1). substituted “subparagraphs (A) and (B) of ” for “paragraphs (1) and (2) of ” and inserted “Any person seeking to export an imported article pursuant to any of the provisions of this subsection shall establish that the article was intended for export at the time the article entered commerce.” before “Any article condemned by reason”.

Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(f)(1)Provided, however1993—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “found. No libel” for “found: , That no libel”.

Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(f)(2)ProvidedProvided, howeverAnd provided furtherSubsec. (d)(1). , substituted “sold. After entry” for “sold: , That after entry”, “met. The provisions of this sentence” for “met: , That the provisions of this sentence”, “title. Where such exportation” for “title: , That where such exportation”, and “the preceding sentence shall not be applicable” for “the foregoing proviso shall not be applicable”.

Pub. L. 102–3001992—Subsec. (d)(1). substituted “381(e)” for “381(d)” in three places and “paragraphs” for “clauses” before “(1) and (2) of section 381(e)”.

Pub. L. 94–295, § 3(c)(1)1976—Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “device,” after “Any article of food, drug,”.

Pub. L. 94–295, § 3(c)(2)Subsec. (a)(2). , (3), added cl. (D) covering adulterated or misbranded devices.

Pub. L. 94–278Subsec. (a)(3). added par. (3).

Pub. L. 94–295, § 7(a)Subsec. (g). , added subsec. (g).

Pub. L. 91–513, § 701(c)1970—Subsec. (a)(2). , struck out cls. (A) and (D) which dealt with depressant or stimulant drugs, struck out reference to depressant or stimulant drugs in cl. (C), and redesignated cls. (B), (C), and (E) as cls. (A), (B), and (C), respectively.

Pub. L. 91–513, § 701(d)Subsec. (d)(3)(iii). , struck out reference to depressant or stimulant drugs.

Pub. L. 90–6391968—Subsec. (a). inserted references to the United States courts of Territories.

Pub. L. 89–74, § 6(a)1965—Subsec. (a). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated cls. (1) and (2) of proviso as (A) and (B), and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 89–74, § 6(b)(1)Subsec. (b). , inserted “equipment, or other thing proceeded against” after “article” in first sentence.

Pub. L. 89–74, § 6(b)(2)Subsec. (d). , designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated cls. (1) and (2) of the second sentence thereof as (A) and (B), and added pars. (2) and (3).

Pub. L. 85–2501957—Subsec. (d). permitted, under certain circumstances, reexportation of articles condemned at places other than original port of entry.

1953—Subsec. (c). Act , provided that a true copy of the analysis in any case shall be furnished the owner.

section 331(k) of this title1948—Subsec. (a). Act , inserted “or while held for sale (whether or not the first sale) after shipment in interstate commerce” to make this subsection coextensive with .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–144, title VII, § 709(c)126 Stat. 1070

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not take effect until the Secretary has issued a final regulation under subsection (b) [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under this section].”
, , , provided that:

[Final regulation issued , effective . See 79 F.R. 30716.]

Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–353, title II, § 207(c)124 Stat. 3944

“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1997 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–115section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115section 321 of this titleAmendment by effective 90 days after , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–278, title V, § 502(c)90 Stat. 413

“The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 321, 333, and 343 of this title] shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–513section 704 of Pub. L. 91–513section 801 of this titleAmendment by effective on first day of seventh calendar month that begins after , see , set out as an Effective Date note under .

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–639section 6 of Pub. L. 90–639section 321 of this titleAmendment by applicable only with respect to violations of this chapter committed after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1968 Amendments; Transitional Provisions note under .

Effective Date of 1965 Amendment

Pub. L. 89–74section 11 of Pub. L. 89–74section 321 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Regulations

Pub. L. 112–144, title VII, § 709(b)(1)126 Stat. 1069

21 U.S.C. 334(i)“Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall promulgate regulations in accordance with section 304(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [], as added by paragraph (2) of this subsection, to implement administrative detention authority with respect to drugs, as authorized by the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section]. Before promulgating such regulations, the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including manufacturers of drugs.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 111–353, title II, § 207(b)124 Stat. 3944

“Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act [], the Secretary shall issue an interim final rule amending subpart K of part 1 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, to implement the amendment made by this section [amending this section].”
, , , provided that:

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 91–513section 702 of Pub. L. 91–513section 321 of this titleAmendment by not to affect or abate any prosecutions for any violation of law or any civil seizures or forfeitures and injunctive proceedings commenced prior to the effective date of such amendment, and all administrative proceedings pending before the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs [now the Drug Enforcement Administration] on , to be continued and brought to final determination in accord with laws and regulations in effect prior to , see , set out as a note under .

Construction of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–353Nothing in amendment by to be construed to alter jurisdiction and authorities established under certain other Acts or in a manner inconsistent with international agreements to which the United States is a party, see sections 2251 and 2252 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

section 321 of this titleFor transfer of functions of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under .