Section 146:5 Foods Misbranded.
Foods shall be deemed to be misbranded in the following cases:
I. If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular.
II. If it is offered for sale under the name of another article.
III. If it is an imitation of another food for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by regulations as provided by RSA 146:11, or if it is an imitation of another food that is not subject to paragraph VII 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.
IV. If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading.
V. If in package form, unless it bears a label containing (1) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; (2) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided that under clause (2) of this paragraph reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established, by regulations prescribed by the commissioner.
VI. 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.
VII. If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by regulations as provided by RSA 146:11, unless (1) it conforms to such definition and standard, and (2) 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.
VIII. If it purports to be or is represented as (1) a food for which a standard of quality has been prescribed by regulations as provided by RSA 146:11, and its quality falls below such standard, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard; or (2) a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulation as provided by RSA 146:11 and it falls below the standard of fill container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard; (3) a food for which no definition and standard of identity and no standard of quality have been prescribed by regulations as provided by RSA 146:11 and it falls below the standard of purity, quality or strength which it purports or is represented to possess.
IX. If it is not subject to the provisions of paragraph VII of this section, unless it bears labeling clearly giving (1) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be, and (2) in case it is fabricated from 2 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 clause (2) of this paragraph is impractical or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
X. 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 determines to be, and by regulations prescribes as, necessary in order to fully inform purchasers as to its value for such uses.
XI. 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 paragraph is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
XII. If it is a color additive unless its packaging and labeling are in conformity with such packaging and labeling requirements applicable to such color additive prescribed under the provisions of the federal act.
Source. 1907, 48:4. 1913, 193:1. PL 139:7. RL 164:7. 1947, 61:4. RSA 146:5. 1963, 193:4. 1969, 164:5, 6. 1995, 310:183, eff. Nov. 1, 1995.