False or misleading label
section 350 of this titlesection 350(b)(2) of this titleIf (1) its labeling is false or misleading in any particular, or (2) in the case of a food to which applies, its advertising is false or misleading in a material respect or its labeling is in violation of .
Offer for sale under another name
If it is offered for sale under the name of another food.
Imitation of another food
If it is an imitation of another food, unless its label bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word “imitation” and, immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated.
Misleading container
If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading.
Package form
If in package form unless it bears a label containing (1) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (2) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count, except that under clause (2) of this paragraph reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established, by regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Prominence of information on label
If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label or labeling is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in the labeling) and in such terms as to render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use.
Representation as to definition and standard of identity
section 341 of this titleIf it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by regulations as provided by , unless (1) it conforms to such definition and standard, and (2) its label bears the name of the food specified in the definition and standard, and, insofar as may be required by such regulations, the common names of optional ingredients (other than spices, flavoring, and coloring) present in such food.
Representation as to standards of quality and fill of container
Label where no representation as to definition and standard of identity
section 379e(c) of this title1
Representation for special dietary use
If it purports to be or is represented for special dietary uses, unless its label bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral, and other dietary properties as the Secretary determines to be, and by regulations prescribes as, necessary in order fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses.
Artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservatives
If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact, except that to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this paragraph is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the Secretary. The provisions of this paragraph and paragraphs (g) and (i) with respect to artificial coloring shall not apply in the case of butter, cheese, or ice cream. The provisions of this paragraph with respect to chemical preservatives shall not apply to a pesticide chemical when used in or on a raw agricultural commodity which is the produce of the soil.
Pesticide chemicals on raw agricultural commodities
If it is a raw agricultural commodity which is the produce of the soil, bearing or containing a pesticide chemical applied after harvest, unless the shipping container of such commodity bears labeling which declares the presence of such chemical in or on such commodity and the common or usual name and the function of such chemical, except that no such declaration shall be required while such commodity, having been removed from the shipping container, is being held or displayed for sale at retail out of such container in accordance with the custom of the trade.
Color additives
section 379e of this titleIf it is a color additive, unless its packaging and labeling are in conformity with such packaging and labeling requirements, applicable to such color additive, as may be contained in regulations issued under .
Packaging or labeling of drugs in violation of regulations
If its packaging or labeling is in violation of an applicable regulation issued pursuant to section 1472 or 1473 of title 15.
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(1) [title V, § 517]114 Stat. 2763 Repealed. , , , 2763A–73
Pub. L. 104–124, § 1110 Stat. 882 Repealed. , ,
Nutrition information
Restaurants, Retail Food Establishments, and Vending Machines.—
General requirements for restaurants and similar retail food establishments .—
Information required to be disclosed by restaurants and retail food establishments .—
Self-service food and food on display .—
Reasonable basis .—
Menu variability and combination meals .—
Additional information .—
Nonapplicability to certain food.—
In general .—
Written forms .—
Vending machines.—
In general .—
Voluntary provision of nutrition information.—
In general .—
Registration .—
Rule of construction .—
Regulations.—
Proposed regulation .—
Contents .—
Reporting .—
Definition .—
Nutrition levels and health-related claims
Dietary supplements
Catfish
If it purports to be or is represented as catfish, unless it is fish classified within the family Ictaluridae.
Ginseng
If it purports to be or is represented as ginseng, unless it is an herb or herbal ingredient derived from a plant classified within the genus Panax.
Failure to label; health threat
Major food allergen labeling requirements
Nonmajor food allergen labeling requirements
Notwithstanding subsection (g), (i), or (k), or any other law, a spice, flavoring, coloring, or incidental additive that is, or that bears or contains, a food allergen (other than a major food allergen), as determined by the Secretary by regulation, shall be disclosed in a manner specified by the Secretary by regulation.
Dietary supplements
section 379aa–1 of this titleIf it is a dietary supplement that is marketed in the United States, unless the label of such dietary supplement includes a domestic address or domestic phone number through which the responsible person (as described in ) may receive a report of a serious adverse event with such dietary supplement.
June 25, 1938, ch. 675, § 40352 Stat. 1047Pub. L. 86–537, § 174 Stat. 251Pub. L. 86–618, title I, § 102(a)(3)74 Stat. 398Pub. L. 91–601, § 6(c)84 Stat. 1673Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 1205(c)95 Stat. 716Pub. L. 94–278, title V, § 502(a)(1)90 Stat. 411Pub. L. 95–203, § 4(a)(1)91 Stat. 1452Pub. L. 101–535104 Stat. 2353Pub. L. 102–108, § 2(a)105 Stat. 549Pub. L. 102–571, title I, § 107(5)106 Stat. 4499Pub. L. 103–80107 Stat. 773Pub. L. 103–417108 Stat. 4329Pub. L. 104–124, § 1110 Stat. 882Pub. L. 105–115, title III111 Stat. 2350–2353Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(1) [title V, § 517]114 Stat. 2763Pub. L. 107–171, title X116 Stat. 526Pub. L. 107–188, title III, § 308(b)116 Stat. 672Pub. L. 108–282, title II, § 203(a)118 Stat. 906Pub. L. 109–462, § 3(c)120 Stat. 3475Pub. L. 111–148, title IV, § 4205(a)124 Stat. 573(, ; , , ; , , ; , formerly § 7(c), , , renumbered , , ; , , ; , (b)(1), , , 1453; , §§ 2(a), 3(a), 7, , , 2357, 2364; , (c), , ; , (6), , ; , §§ 2(b), 3(j), , , 776; , §§ 6, 7(a)–(c), 10(c), , , 4330, 4332; , , ; , §§ 301–305, , ; , , , 2763A–73; , §§ 10806(a)(2), (b)(2), 10808(b), , , 527, 530; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (b), , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 111–148, § 4205(a)(1)2010—Par. (q)(5)(A)(i). , inserted “except as provided in clause (H)(ii)(III),” before “which is served”.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 4205(a)(2)Par. (q)(5)(A)(ii). , inserted “except as provided in clause (H)(ii)(III),” before “which is processed”.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 4205(b)Par. (q)(5)(H). , added cl. (H).
Pub. L. 109–4622006—Par. (y). added par. (y).
Pub. L. 108–2822004—Pars. (w), (x). added pars. (w) and (x).
Pub. L. 107–171, § 10808(b)2002—Par. (h). , added subpar. (3) and concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 107–171, § 10806(a)(2)Par. (t). , added par. (t).
Pub. L. 107–171, § 10806(b)(2)Par. (u). , added par. (u).
Pub. L. 107–188Par. (v). added par. (v).
oPub. L. 106–554ooo2000—Par. (). , which directed repeal of section 403() of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, was executed by repealing par. () of this section, which is section 403 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Prior to repeal, par. () provided that a food containing saccharin was to be deemed misbranded unless a specified warning statement was placed in a conspicuous place on its label.
Pub. L. 105–115, § 3051997—Par. (r)(2)(B). , amended cl. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (B) read as follows: “If a claim described in subparagraph (1)(A) is made with respect to a nutrient in a food, the label or labeling of such food shall contain, prominently and in immediate proximity to such claim, the following statement: ‘See _____ for nutrition information.’. In the statement—
“(i) the blank shall identify the panel on which the information described in the statement may be found, and
“(ii) if the Secretary determines that the food contains a nutrient at a level which increases to persons in the general population the risk of a disease or health-related condition which is diet related, taking into account the significance of the food in the total daily diet, the statement shall also identify such nutrient.”
Pub. L. 105–115, § 304Par. (r)(2)(G), (H). , added cls. (G) and (H).
Pub. L. 105–115, § 303Par. (r)(3)(C), (D). , added cls. (C) and (D).
Pub. L. 105–115, § 302Par. (r)(4)(A)(i). , inserted after second sentence “If the Secretary does not act within such 100 days, the petition shall be deemed to be denied unless an extension is mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the petitioner.”, inserted “or the petition is deemed to be denied” after “If the Secretary denies the petition”, and inserted at end “If the Secretary does not act within such 90 days, the petition shall be deemed to be denied unless an extension is mutually agreed upon by the Secretary and the petitioner. If the Secretary issues a proposed regulation, the rulemaking shall be completed within 540 days of the date the petition is received by the Secretary. If the Secretary does not issue a regulation within such 540 days, the Secretary shall provide the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate the reasons action on the regulation did not occur within such 540 days.”
Pub. L. 105–115, § 301Par. (r)(7). , added subpar. (7).
Pub. L. 104–124o1996—Par. (p). struck out par. (p), which deemed products containing saccharin and offered for sale, but not for immediate consumption, by retail establishment, to be misbranded, unless notice of information required by subsec. () was provided by manufacturer and prominently displayed near product.
Pub. L. 103–417, § 7(b)section 350 of this titlesection 350(c) of this title1994—Par. (q)(5)(F). , amended cl. (F) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (F) read as follows: “If a food to which applies (as defined in ) contains one or more of the nutrients required by subparagraph (1) or (2) to be in the label or labeling of the food, the label or labeling of such food shall comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (2) in a manner which is appropriate for such food and which is specified in regulations of the Secretary.”
Pub. L. 103–417, § 7(c)Par. (r)(2)(F). , added cl. (F).
Pub. L. 103–417, § 6Par. (r)(6). , added subpar. (6).
Pub. L. 103–417, § 10(c)Par. (s). , inserted at end: “A dietary supplement shall not be deemed misbranded solely because its label or labeling contains directions or conditions of use or warnings.”
Pub. L. 103–417, § 7(a), added par. (s).
Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(1)Provided1993—Par. (e). , substituted “count, except that” for “count: , That”.
Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(2)ProvidedPar. (i). , substituted “unless sold as spices, flavorings, or such colors” for “, other than those sold as such” and “naming each. To the extent” for “naming each: , That, to the extent”.
Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(3)ProvidedPar. (k). , substituted “, except that” for “: , That”.
lPub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(4)Provided, howeverPar. (). , substituted “chemical, except that” for “chemical: , That”.
Pub. L. 103–80, § 2(b)Par. (q)(5)(E) to (G). , added cl. (E) and redesignated former cls. (E) and (F) as (F) and (G), respectively.
Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(5)Par. (r)(1)(B). , substituted “(5)(D)” for “5(D)”.
Pub. L. 103–80, § 3(j)(6)Par. (r)(4)(B). , substituted “paragraph” for “subsection”.
Pub. L. 102–571, § 107(5)1992—Par. (i). , substituted “379e(c)” for “376(c)”.
Pub. L. 102–571, § 107(6)Par. (m). , substituted “379e” for “376”.
Pub. L. 102–108, § 2(c)Pub. L. 101–535, § 7(1)1991—Par. (i). , amended directory language of , (3). See 1990 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 102–108, § 2(a)Par. (q)(4)(A). , substituted “(D)” for “(C)”.
Pub. L. 101–535, § 7Pub. L. 102–108, § 2(c)section 376(c) of this title1990—Par. (i). , as amended by , substituted “Unless” for “If it is not subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) unless”, inserted “and if the food purports to be a beverage containing vegetable or fruit juice, a statement with appropriate prominence on the information panel of the total percentage of such fruit or vegetable juice contained in the food”, and substituted “colors not required to be certified under ” for “colorings” the first time appearing.
Pub. L. 101–535, § 2(a)Par. (q). , added par. (q).
Pub. L. 101–535, § 3(a)Par. (r). , added par. (r).
oPub. L. 95–203, § 4(a)(1)o1977—Par. (). , added par. ().
Pub. L. 95–203, § 4(b)(1)Par. (p). , added par. (p).
Pub. L. 94–278section 350 of this titlesection 350(b)(2) of this title1976—Par. (a). inserted “(1)” after “If” and inserted “, or (2) in the case of a food to which applies, its advertising is false or misleading in a material respect or its labeling is in violation of ” after “any particular”.
Pub. L. 91–6011970—Par. (n). added par. (n).
Pub. L. 86–537, § 1(1)1960—Par. (k). , exempted pesticide chemicals when used in or on a raw agricultural commodity which is the produce of the soil.
lPub. L. 86–537, § 1(2)lPar. (). , added par. ().
Pub. L. 86–618Par. (m). added par. (m).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, .
Committee on Labor and Human Resources of Senate changed to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of Senate by Senate Resolution No. 20, One Hundred Sixth Congress, .
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–462, § 3(d)(1)120 Stat. 3475
In general .—
Misbranding .—
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–282section 203(d) of Pub. L. 108–282section 321 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any food that is labeled on or after , see , set out as a note under .
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 1994 Amendment
Pub. L. 103–417, § 7(e)108 Stat. 4331
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101–535, § 10(a)104 Stat. 2365Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(a)(3)106 Stat. 4501
Pub. L. 101–535, § 10(c)104 Stat. 2367Pub. L. 102–108, § 1105 Stat. 549Pub. L. 102–571, title I, § 107(17)106 Stat. 4500
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–203, § 4(a)(2)91 Stat. 1453
Pub. L. 95–203, § 4(b)(2)91 Stat. 1453
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–278section 502(c) of Pub. L. 94–278section 334 of this titleAmendment by effective 180 days after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Pub. L. 91–601section 8 of Pub. L. 91–601section 1471 of Title 15Amendment by effective , and regulations establishing special packaging standards effective no sooner than 180 days or later than one year from date regulations are final, or an earlier date published in Federal Register, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Commerce and Trade.
Effective Date of 1960 Amendment
Pub. L. 86–618section 203 of Pub. L. 86–618section 202 of Pub. L. 86–618section 379e of this titleAmendment by effective , subject to the provisions of , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date; Postponement
act June 23, 1939, ch. 24253 Stat. 853section 301 of this titleSubsecs. (e)(1) and (g) to (k) effective , and such subsections effective , as provided by regulations for certain lithographed labeling and containers bearing certain labeling, see , , set out as an Effective Date; Postponement in Certain Cases note under .
Pub. L. 111–148Construction of Amendment by
Pub. L. 111–148, title IV, § 4205(d)124 Stat. 576
Pub. L. 108–282Construction of Amendment by
Pub. L. 108–282, title II, § 203(b)118 Stat. 908
Pub. L. 107–188Construction of Amendment by
Pub. L. 107–188section 308(c) of Pub. L. 107–188section 381 of this titleNothing in amendment by to be construed to limit authority of Secretary of Health and Human Services or Secretary of the Treasury to require marking of articles of food imported or offered for import into the United States which are refused admission, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 101–535Construction of Amendments by
Pub. L. 101–535, § 9104 Stat. 2365
Regulations
Pub. L. 101–535, § 2(b)104 Stat. 2356Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(a)(2)(A)106 Stat. 4500
Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(a)(2)(C)106 Stat. 4501
Pub. L. 101–535, § 3(b)104 Stat. 2360Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(a)(2)(A)106 Stat. 4500
section 202(a)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 102–571section 3(b) of Pub. L. 101–535section 202(a)(2)(C) of Pub. L. 102–571section 2(b) of Pub. L. 101–535[For construction of amendment made by to set out above, see set out above following .]
Compliance With Requirements in Effect Before Effective Date of Final Rule
Pub. L. 119–37, div. B, title VII, § 783139 Stat. 561
Labeling Exemption for Single Ingredient Foods and Products
Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12516132 Stat. 5000
Findings
Pub. L. 108–282, title II, § 202118 Stat. 905
Rulemakings on Labeling
Pub. L. 118–42, div. B, title VII, § 745138 Stat. 112
Pub. L. 108–282, title II, § 206118 Stat. 910
Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10809116 Stat. 531
Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels
Pub. L. 103–417, § 12108 Stat. 4332
Establishment .—
Membership.—
Composition .—
Expertise requirement .—
Functions of the Commission .—
Administrative Powers of the Commission.—
Hearings .—
Information from federal agencies .—
Authorization of appropriations .—
Reports and Recommendations.—
Final report required .—
Recommendations .—
Action on recommendations .—
Extension of Compliance Deadline for Certain Food Products Packaged Prior to
Limitations on Application of Small Business Exemption
Pub. L. 103–80, § 2(a)107 Stat. 773
Before .—
After .—
Pub. L. 101–535Prohibition on Implementation of With Respect to Dietary Supplements
Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(a)(1)106 Stat. 4500
Health Claims Made With Respect to Dietary Supplements
Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 202(b)106 Stat. 4501
United States Recommended Daily Allowances of Vitamins or Minerals
Pub. L. 102–571, title II, § 203106 Stat. 4502
Consumer Education
Pub. L. 101–535, § 2(c)104 Stat. 2357
Studies Concerning Carcinogenic and Other Toxic Substances in Food and Impurities in and Toxicity of Saccharin
Pub. L. 95–203, § 291 Stat. 1451, , , directed Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study concerning carcinogenic and other toxic substances in food and impurities in and toxicity of saccharin and make a report respecting the carcinogenic and other substances to Committee on Human Resources of the Senate within 12 months of , and a report respecting saccharin to such committee within 15 months of .
oReport to Congressional Committees Respecting Action Taken Pursuant to Former Par. ()(2)
Pub. L. 95–203, § 4(a)(3)91 Stat. 1453o, , , provided that the Secretary was to report to specified congressional committees any action taken under former par. ()(2) of this section.
State or Territorial Requirements
Pub. L. 86–537, § 274 Stat. 251
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 .