{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-5402.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-5402.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-5402.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-5402.html"}],"law_id":55685,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55685,"structure_id":14363,"section_number":"3.2-5402","catch_line":"Misbranded livestock product or poultry product","history":"1970, c. 290, \u00a7 3.1-884.18; 2008, c. 860.","full_text":"Any livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be misbranded:\n\n1\n\nIf its labeling is false or misleading in any particular;2\n\nIf it is offered for sale under the name of another food;3\n\nIf 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;4\n\nIf its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading;5\n\nUnless it bears a label showing: (i) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (ii) an accurate statement of the quantity of the product in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided, that under this subsection, exemptions as to livestock products not in containers may be established by regulations prescribed by the Board; and provided, further, that under clause (ii) of this subsection, reasonable variations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages may be established for livestock products or poultry products by regulations prescribed by the Board;6\n\nIf any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label or other labeling is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in 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;7\n\nIf it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity or composition has been prescribed by the regulations of the Board under § 3.2-5404 unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and standard; and (ii) 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;8\n\nIf it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations of the Board under § 3.2-5404 and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard;9\n\nIf it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 7, unless its label bears: (i) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be; and (ii) in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings, and colorings may, when authorized by the Commissioner, be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings without naming each; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of clause (ii) of this subsection is impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the Board;10\n\nIf 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 Commissioner, after consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, determines to be, and prescribes as, necessary in order fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses;11\n\nIf it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subsection is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations adopted by the Board; or12\n\nIf it fails to bear, directly thereon and on its containers, as the Board may by regulations prescribe, the official inspection legend and establishment number of the establishment where the product was prepared and, unrestricted by any of the foregoing, such other information as the Board may require in such regulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading labeling and that the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain the article in a wholesome condition.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":204126,"text":"Any livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be misbranded:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":204127,"text":"If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":204128,"text":"If it is offered for sale under the name of another food;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":204129,"text":"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;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":204130,"text":"If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":204131,"text":"Unless it bears a label showing: (i) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (ii) an accurate statement of the quantity of the product in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided, that under this subsection, exemptions as to livestock products not in containers may be established by regulations prescribed by the Board; and provided, further, that under clause (ii) of this subsection, reasonable variations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages may be established for livestock products or poultry products by regulations prescribed by the Board;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":204132,"text":"If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label or other labeling is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in 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;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":204133,"text":"If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity or composition has been prescribed by the regulations of the Board under § 3.2-5404 unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and standard; and (ii) 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;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":204134,"text":"If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations of the Board under § 3.2-5404 and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":204135,"text":"If it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 7, unless its label bears: (i) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be; and (ii) in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings, and colorings may, when authorized by the Commissioner, be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings without naming each; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of clause (ii) of this subsection is impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the Board;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":204136,"text":"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 Commissioner, after consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, determines to be, and prescribes as, necessary in order fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":204137,"text":"If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subsection is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations adopted by the Board; or","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":204138,"text":"If it fails to bear, directly thereon and on its containers, as the Board may by regulations prescribe, the official inspection legend and establishment number of the establishment where the product was prepared and, unrestricted by any of the foregoing, such other information as the Board may require in such regulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading labeling and that the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain the article in a wholesome condition.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-5402\/","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 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73972,"section_number":"3.2-5404","catch_line":"Duties of the Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-5404\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73972,"section_number":"3.2-5404","catch_line":"Duties of the Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-5404\/"}],"permalink":{"id":197625,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55685,"identifier":"3.2-5402","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5402","url":"\/3.2-5402\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-5402\/","token":"3.2\/IV\/54\/1\/3.2-5402","dublin_core":{"Title":"Misbranded livestock product or poultry product","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-5402","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 misbranded:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> If its labeling<\/span> is false or misleading in any particular; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> If it is offered for sale under the name of another food; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If it is an imitation of another food, unless its label<\/span> bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word “imitation” and immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> If its container<\/span> is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Unless it bears a label<\/span> showing: (i) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (ii) an accurate statement of the quantity of the product in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided, that under this subsection, exemptions as to livestock products<\/span> not in containers<\/span> may be established by regulations prescribed by the Board<\/span>; and provided, further, that under clause (ii) of this subsection, reasonable variations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages<\/span> may be established for livestock products<\/span> or poultry products<\/span> by regulations prescribed by the Board<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label<\/span> or other labeling<\/span> is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in labeling<\/span>) and in such terms as to render<\/span> it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity or composition has been prescribed by the regulations of the Board<\/span> under § 3.2-5404<\/a> unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and standard; and (ii) its label<\/span> 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; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container<\/span> have been prescribed by regulations of the Board<\/span> under § 3.2-5404<\/a> and it falls below the standard of fill of container<\/span> applicable thereto, unless its label<\/span> bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> If it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 7, unless its label<\/span> bears: (i) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be; and (ii) in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings, and colorings may, when authorized by the Commissioner<\/span>, be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings without naming each; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of clause (ii) of this subsection is impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the Board<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> If it purports to be or is represented for special dietary uses, unless its label<\/span> bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral, and other dietary properties as the Commissioner<\/span>, after consultation with the U.S. Department<\/span> of Agriculture, determines to be, and prescribes as, necessary in order<\/span> fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling<\/span> stating that fact<\/span>; provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subsection is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations adopted by the Board<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> If it fails to bear, directly thereon and on its containers<\/span>, as the Board<\/span> may by regulations prescribe, the official inspection legend<\/span> and establishment number of the establishment where the product was prepared<\/span> and, unrestricted by any of the foregoing, such other information as the Board<\/span> may require in such regulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading labeling<\/span> and that the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain the article in a wholesome condition. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMISBRANDED LIVESTOCK PRODUCT OR POULTRY PRODUCT (\u00a7 3.2-5402)\n\nAny livestock product or poultry product shall be deemed to be misbranded:\n\n1. If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular;\n\n2. If it is offered for sale under the name of another food;\n\n3. If it is an imitation of another food, unless its label bears, in type of\nuniform size and prominence, the word “imitation” and immediately\nthereafter, the name of the food imitated;\n\n4. If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading;\n\n5. Unless it bears a label showing: (i) the name and place of business of the\nmanufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (ii) an accurate statement of the\nquantity of the product in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count;\nprovided, that under this subsection, exemptions as to livestock products not in\ncontainers may be established by regulations prescribed by the Board; and\nprovided, further, that under clause (ii) of this subsection, reasonable\nvariations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages may be\nestablished for livestock products or poultry products by regulations prescribed\nby the Board;\n\n6. If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority\nof this chapter to appear on the label or other labeling is not prominently\nplaced thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words,\nstatements, designs, or devices, in labeling) and in such terms as to render it\nlikely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary\nconditions of purchase and use;\n\n7. If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and\nstandard of identity or composition has been prescribed by the regulations of\nthe Board under § 3.2-5404 unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and\nstandard; and (ii) its label bears the name of the food specified in the\ndefinition and standard and, insofar as may be required by such regulations, the\ncommon names of optional ingredients (other than spices, flavoring, and\ncoloring) present in such food;\n\n8. If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or\nstandards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations of the Board\nunder § 3.2-5404 and it falls below the standard of fill of container\napplicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such\nregulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard;\n\n9. If it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 7, unless its label\nbears: (i) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be; and (ii) in\ncase it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of\neach such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings, and colorings may, when\nauthorized by the Commissioner, be designated as spices, flavorings, and\ncolorings without naming each; provided that, to the extent that compliance with\nthe requirements of clause (ii) of this subsection is impracticable, or results\nin deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by\nregulations promulgated by the Board;\n\n10. If it purports to be or is represented for special dietary uses, unless its\nlabel bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral, and other dietary\nproperties as the Commissioner, after consultation with the U.S. Department of\nAgriculture, determines to be, and prescribes as, necessary in order fully to\ninform purchasers as to its value for such uses;\n\n11. If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or\nchemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact; provided\nthat, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subsection is\nimpracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations adopted by the\nBoard; or\n\n12. If it fails to bear, directly thereon and on its containers, as the Board\nmay by regulations prescribe, the official inspection legend and establishment\nnumber of the establishment where the product was prepared and, unrestricted by\nany of the foregoing, such other information as the Board may require in such\nregulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading labeling and\nthat the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain\nthe article in a wholesome condition.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 290, \u00a7 3.1-884.18; 2008, c. 860.","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}}