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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55685</law_id><section_number>3.2-5402</section_number><catch_line>Misbranded livestock product or poultry product</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>3.2-5404</reference></referred_to_by><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="54">Slaughterhouses, Meat, and Dressed Poultry</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Any <span class="dictionary">livestock product</span> or <span class="dictionary">poultry product</span> shall be deemed to be misbranded:</p></section>
						<section id="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-204127" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> If it is offered for sale under the name of another food; <a id="paragraph-204128" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> If it is an imitation of another food, unless its <span class="dictionary">label</span> bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word &#x201C;imitation&#x201D; and immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated; <a id="paragraph-204129" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> If its <span class="dictionary">container</span> is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading; <a id="paragraph-204130" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Unless it bears a <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">livestock products</span> not in <span class="dictionary">containers</span> may be established by regulations prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; and provided, further, that under clause (ii) of this subsection, reasonable variations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small <span class="dictionary">packages</span> may be established for <span class="dictionary">livestock products</span> or <span class="dictionary">poultry products</span> by regulations prescribed by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; <a id="paragraph-204131" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the <span class="dictionary">label</span> or other <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in <span class="dictionary">labeling</span>) and in such terms as to <span class="dictionary">render</span> it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use; <a id="paragraph-204132" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Duties of the Board" href="/3.2-5404/">3.2-5404</a> unless: (i) it conforms to such definition and standard; and (ii) its <span class="dictionary">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; <a id="paragraph-204133" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or standards of fill of <span class="dictionary">container</span> have been prescribed by regulations of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Duties of the Board" href="/3.2-5404/">3.2-5404</a> and it falls below the standard of fill of <span class="dictionary">container</span> 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-204134" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> If it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 7, unless its <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">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 <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; <a id="paragraph-204135" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</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">Commissioner</span>, after consultation with the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Agriculture, determines to be, and prescribes as, necessary in <span class="dictionary">order</span> fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses; <a id="paragraph-204136" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</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 compliance with the requirements of this subsection is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations adopted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; or <a id="paragraph-204137" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> If it fails to bear, directly thereon and on its <span class="dictionary">containers</span>, as the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may by regulations prescribe, the <span class="dictionary">official inspection legend</span> and establishment number of the establishment where the product was <span class="dictionary">prepared</span> and, unrestricted by any of the foregoing, such other information as the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may require in such regulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading <span class="dictionary">labeling</span> and that the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain the article in a wholesome condition. <a id="paragraph-204138" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/3.2-5402/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1970, c. 290, &#xA7; 3.1-884.18; 2008, c. 860.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
