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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56033</law_id><section_number>3.2-5123</section_number><catch_line>Misbranded food</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Food and Drink; Weights and Measures</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="51">Food and Drink</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Adulteration, Misbranding, and False Advertising</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">food</span> shall be deemed to be misbranded: <a id="paragraph-205386" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> If its <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> is false or misleading in any particular. <a id="paragraph-205387" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If any word, statement, or other information appearing on the <span class="dictionary">label</span> does not also appear on the outside container or wrapper, if present, of the retail package of such article, or is not easily legible through the outside container or wrapper. <a id="paragraph-205388" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If any word, statement, or other information required by this article is not prominently placed on the <span class="dictionary">label</span> with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span>) 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. <a id="paragraph-205389" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears:
				a. The common or usual name of the <span class="dictionary">food</span>, if there is any;
				b. When the <span class="dictionary">food</span> is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each ingredient. Spices, flavorings, and colors not required to be certified under section 721(c) of the <span class="dictionary">federal act</span>, other than those sold as such, may be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings, without naming each; and
				c. When the <span class="dictionary">food</span> purports to be a beverage containing vegetable or fruit juice, a statement with appropriate prominence on the information <span class="dictionary">panel</span> of the total percentage of such fruit or vegetable juice contained in the <span class="dictionary">food</span>.
				To the extent that the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> believes that compliance with the requirements of subdivision 4 b is impractical or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>. The requirements of subdivision 4 b shall not apply to any carbonated beverages, ingredients of which have been fully and correctly disclosed to the extent prescribed by subdivision 4 b to the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> in an <span class="dictionary">affidavit</span>. <a id="paragraph-205390" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> If it is offered for sale under the name of another <span class="dictionary">food</span>. <a id="paragraph-205391" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> If it is an imitation of another <span class="dictionary">food</span>, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word, imitation, and immediately thereafter, the name of the <span class="dictionary">food</span> imitated. <a id="paragraph-205392" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> If its container is made, formed, or filled as to be misleading. <a id="paragraph-205393" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A8" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> If in package form, unless it bears a <span class="dictionary">label</span> containing: (i) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; (ii) the name of the article; (iii) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided, that under clause (iii) of this subdivision reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established, by regulations prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>. <a id="paragraph-205394" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A9" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> If it purports to be or is represented as a <span class="dictionary">food</span> for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by regulations as provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Board authorized to adopt regulations; exception" href="/3.2-5101/">3.2-5101</a> unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and standard; and (ii) its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears the name of the <span class="dictionary">food</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">food</span>. <a id="paragraph-205395" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A10" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> If it purports to be or is represented as:
				a. A <span class="dictionary">food</span> for which a standard of quality has been prescribed by regulations as provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Board authorized to adopt regulations; exception" href="/3.2-5101/">3.2-5101</a> and its quality falls below such standard unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears, in such manner and form as regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standards; or
				b. A <span class="dictionary">food</span> for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations as provided by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Board authorized to adopt regulations; exception" href="/3.2-5101/">3.2-5101</a>, and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard. <a id="paragraph-205396" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A11" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> If it purports to be or is represented for special dietary uses, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral, and other dietary properties as the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> requires through regulation to fully inform purchasers as to its value for such uses. <a id="paragraph-205397" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A12" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring or chemical preservative, unless it bears <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> stating that <span class="dictionary">fact</span>; provided that to the extent that the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> believes that compliance with the requirements of this subdivision is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span>; provided, that the provisions of this subdivision and of subdivisions 4 and 9 with respect to artificial colorings shall not apply in the case of <span class="dictionary">butter</span>, cheese or ice cream. <a id="paragraph-205398" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A13" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> If it is a <span class="dictionary">food</span> intended for human consumption, it is offered for sale, and its <span class="dictionary">label</span> and <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> do not comply with the requirements of Section 403 (q) of the <span class="dictionary">federal act</span> pertaining to nutrition information. <a id="paragraph-205399" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A14" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> If it is a <span class="dictionary">food</span> intended for human consumption, it is offered for sale, and its <span class="dictionary">label</span> and <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> do not comply with the requirements of Section 403 (r) of the <span class="dictionary">federal act</span> pertaining to nutrient content claims and health claims. <a id="paragraph-205400" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#A14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If an article is alleged to be misbranded because the <span class="dictionary">label</span> is misleading, or if an <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> is alleged to be false because it is misleading, then in determining whether the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> is misleading, there shall be taken into account, among other things, not only representations made or suggested by statement, word, design, device, sound, or in any combination thereof, but also the extent to which the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> fails to reveal <span class="dictionary">facts</span> <span class="dictionary">material</span> in the light of such representations or <span class="dictionary">material</span> with respect to consequences that may result from the use of the article to which the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> relates under the conditions of use prescribed in the <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> or <span class="dictionary">advertisement</span> or under such conditions of use as are customary or usual. <a id="paragraph-205401" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5123/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 3-307, 3-316; 1966, c. 702, &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.1-387, 3.1-396; 1996, c. 728; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
