§ 4060 — Misbranded food

A food shall be deemed to be misbranded:
(1) If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular.
(2) If it is offered for sale under the name of another food.
(3) If it is an imitation of another food for which a definition and standard of identity have been prescribed by rules adopted pursuant to section 4058 of this title or if it is an imitation of another food that is not subject to subdivision (7) of this section, unless its label bears in type of uniform size and prominence the word imitation and, immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated.
(4) If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading.
(5) If in package form, unless it bears a label containing:
(A) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and
(B) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count, provided that under this subdivision reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established by rules prescribed by the Department.
(6) 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.
(7) If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by rules adopted pursuant to section 4058 of this title, unless:
(A) it conforms to that definition and standard; and
(B) its label bears the name of the food specified in the definition and standard and, insofar as may be required by the rules, the common names of optional ingredients (other than spices, flavoring, and coloring) present in the food.
(8) If it purports to be or is represented as:
(A) a food for which a standard of quality has been prescribed by rules adopted pursuant to section 4058 of this title, and its quality falls below the standard unless its label bears, in such manner and form as the rules specify, a statement that it falls below those standards; or
(B) a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by rules adopted pursuant to section 4058 of this title, and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as the rules specify, a statement that it falls below the standard.
(9) If it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision (7) of this section, unless it bears labeling clearly giving:
(A) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be; and
(B) 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, other than those sold as such, may be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings, without naming each, provided that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subdivision is impractical or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by rules adopted by the Department. And provided further that the requirements of this subdivision shall not apply to food products that are packaged at the direction of purchasers at retail at the time of sale, the ingredients of which are disclosed to the purchasers by other means in accordance with rules adopted by the Department.
(10) 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 Department determines to be, and by rules adopted, as necessary in order to inform purchasers fully as to its value for such uses.
(11) 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 rules adopted by the Department.
(12) If it is a product intended as an ingredient of another food and when used according to the directions of the purveyor will result in the final food product being adulterated or misbranded. (Added 1959, No. 172, § 11, eff. May 12, 1959; amended 1959, No. 329 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. March 1, 1961; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 73; 2023, No. 53, § 90, eff. June 8, 2023.)