{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-5401.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-5401.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-5401.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-5401.html"}],"law_id":65214,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65214,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5401","catch_line":"Adulterated livestock product or poultry product","history":"1970, c. 290, \u00a7 3.1-884.18; 2008, c. 860; 2020, c. 318.","full_text":"Any livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be adulterated:\n\n1\n\nIf it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance, such article shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in or on such article does not ordinarily render it injurious to health;2\n\nIf it bears or contains (by reason of administration of any substance to the livestock or poultry or otherwise) any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than one that is: (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive) that may, in the judgment of the Commissioner, make such article unfit for human food;3\n\nIf it is, in whole or in part, a raw agricultural commodity and such commodity bears or contains a pesticide chemical that is unsafe within the meaning of § 346a of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;4\n\nIf it bears or contains any food additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;5\n\nIf it bears or contains any color additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 379e of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; provided, that an article that is not otherwise deemed adulterated under subsection C or D of this section shall nevertheless be deemed adulterated if use of the pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive in or on such article is prohibited by regulations of the Board in official establishments;6\n\nIf it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or is for any other reason unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food;7\n\nIf it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health;8\n\nIf it is, in whole or in part, the product of an animal (including poultry) that has died otherwise than by slaughter;9\n\nIf its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render the contents injurious to health;10\n\nIf 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 § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;11\n\nIf any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; or if any substance has been substituted, wholly or in part therefor; or if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or 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; or12\n\nIf it is margarine containing animal fat and any of the raw material used therein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":237172,"text":"Any livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be adulterated:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":237173,"text":"If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance, such article shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in or on such article does not ordinarily render it injurious to health;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":237174,"text":"If it bears or contains (by reason of administration of any substance to the livestock or poultry or otherwise) any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than one that is: (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive) that may, in the judgment of the Commissioner, make such article unfit for human food;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":237175,"text":"If it is, in whole or in part, a raw agricultural commodity and such commodity bears or contains a pesticide chemical that is unsafe within the meaning of § 346a of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":237176,"text":"If it bears or contains any food additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":237177,"text":"If it bears or contains any color additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 379e of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; provided, that an article that is not otherwise deemed adulterated under subsection C or D of this section shall nevertheless be deemed adulterated if use of the pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive in or on such article is prohibited by regulations of the Board in official establishments;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":237178,"text":"If it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or is for any other reason unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":237179,"text":"If it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":237180,"text":"If it is, in whole or in part, the product of an animal (including poultry) that has died otherwise than by slaughter;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":237181,"text":"If its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render the contents injurious to health;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":237182,"text":"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 § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":237183,"text":"If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; or if any substance has been substituted, wholly or in part therefor; or if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or 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; or","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":237184,"text":"If it is margarine containing animal fat and any of the raw material used therein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14363,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13738,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:53","permalink":{"id":197615,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14363,"identifier":"1","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13738,"edition_id":1,"name":"Slaughterhouses, Meat, and Dressed Poultry","identifier":"54","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12965,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:44","permalink":{"id":197613,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13738,"identifier":"54","token":"3.2\/IV\/54","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/54\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12965,"edition_id":1,"name":"Food and Drink; Weights and Measures","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":197125,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12965,"identifier":"IV","token":"3.2\/IV","url":"\/3.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62290,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/3.2-5400\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5400","metadata":false},{"id":65214,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5401","catch_line":"Adulterated livestock product or poultry product","url":"\/3.2-5401\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5401","metadata":false},{"id":55685,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5402","catch_line":"Misbranded livestock product or poultry product","url":"\/3.2-5402\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5402","metadata":false},{"id":59871,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5403","catch_line":"Department to cooperate with U.S. Department of Agriculture","url":"\/3.2-5403\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5403","metadata":false},{"id":73972,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5404","catch_line":"Duties of the Board","url":"\/3.2-5404\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5404","metadata":false},{"id":71262,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5405","catch_line":"Powers of Commissioner","url":"\/3.2-5405\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5405","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62290,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/3.2-5400\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5400","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55685,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5402","catch_line":"Misbranded livestock product or poultry product","url":"\/3.2-5402\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5402","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-5401\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 290 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 318<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":70791,"section_number":"3.2-5415","catch_line":"General criminal penalties; warning letter","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-5415\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":197621,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65214,"identifier":"3.2-5401","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5401","url":"\/3.2-5401\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-5401\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5401","dublin_core":{"Title":"Adulterated livestock product or poultry product","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-5401","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any livestock product<\/span> or poultry product<\/span> shall be deemed to be adulterated:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render<\/span> it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance, such article shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in or on such article does not ordinarily render<\/span> it injurious to health; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If it bears or contains (by reason of administration of any substance to the livestock or poultry or otherwise) any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than one that is: (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive) that may, in the judgment<\/span> of the Commissioner<\/span>, make such article unfit for human food; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If it is, in whole or in part, a raw agricultural commodity and such commodity bears or contains a pesticide chemical that is unsafe within the meaning of § 346a of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> If it bears or contains any food additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> If it bears or contains any color additive that is unsafe within the meaning of § 379e of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; provided, that an article that is not otherwise deemed adulterated under subsection C or D of this section shall nevertheless be deemed adulterated if use of the pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive in or on such article is prohibited by regulations of the Board<\/span> in official establishments<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> If it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or is for any other reason unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> If it has been prepared<\/span>, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> If it is, in whole or in part, the product of an animal (including poultry) that has died otherwise than by slaughter; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> If its container<\/span> is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance that may render<\/span> the contents injurious to health; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> 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 § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; or if any substance has been substituted, wholly or in part therefor; or if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or 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; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> If it is margarine containing animal fat and any of the raw material<\/span> used therein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADULTERATED LIVESTOCK PRODUCT OR POULTRY PRODUCT (\u00a7 3.2-5401)\n\nAny livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be adulterated:\n\n1. If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance that may\nrender it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added\nsubstance, such article shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if\nthe quantity of such substance in or on such article does not ordinarily render\nit injurious to health;\n\n2. If it bears or contains (by reason of administration of any substance to the\nlivestock or poultry or otherwise) any added poisonous or added deleterious\nsubstance (other than one that is: (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw\nagricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive) that\nmay, in the judgment of the Commissioner, make such article unfit for human\nfood;\n\n3. If it is, in whole or in part, a raw agricultural commodity and such\ncommodity bears or contains a pesticide chemical that is unsafe within the\nmeaning of § 346a of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;\n\n4. If it bears or contains any food additive that is unsafe within the meaning\nof § 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;\n\n5. If it bears or contains any color additive that is unsafe within the meaning\nof § 379e of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; provided, that an\narticle that is not otherwise deemed adulterated under subsection C or D of this\nsection shall nevertheless be deemed adulterated if use of the pesticide\nchemical, food additive, or color additive in or on such article is prohibited\nby regulations of the Board in official establishments;\n\n6. If it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed\nsubstance or is for any other reason unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or\notherwise unfit for human food;\n\n7. If it has been prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions whereby\nit may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered\ninjurious to health;\n\n8. If it is, in whole or in part, the product of an animal (including poultry)\nthat has died otherwise than by slaughter;\n\n9. If its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or\ndeleterious substance that may render the contents injurious to health;\n\n10. If it has been intentionally subjected to radiation, unless the use of the\nradiation was in conformity with a regulation or exemption in effect pursuant to\n§ 348 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;\n\n11. If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or\nabstracted therefrom; or if any substance has been substituted, wholly or in\npart therefor; or if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or\nif any substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to\nincrease its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength, or make it\nappear better or of greater value than it is; or\n\n12. If it is margarine containing animal fat and any of the raw material used\ntherein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed\nsubstance.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 290, \u00a7 3.1-884.18; 2008, c. 860; 2020, c. 318.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}