2006 Minnesota Statutes

31.123 FOOD MISBRANDING.
A food shall be deemed to be misbranded:
(a) If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular, or if its labeling, whether on the
commodity itself, its container or its package, fails to conform with the requirements of Laws
1974, chapter 84;
(b) If it is offered for sale under the name of another food;
(c) If it is an imitation of another food for which a definition and standard of identity have
been prescribed by rules as provided by sections 31.10 and 31.102; or if it is an imitation of another
food that is not subject to clause (g), unless in either case its label bears in type of uniform size
and prominence the word "imitation" and immediately thereafter the name of the food imitated;
(d) If its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading;
(e) If in package form, unless it bears a label containing (1) the name and place of business
of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, and (2) an accurate statement of the net quantity of the
contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count, which statement shall be separately and
accurately stated in a uniform location upon the principal display panel of the label; provided,
that under this subclause reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small
packages shall be established by rules prescribed by the commissioner;
(f) If any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of the
Minnesota Food Law 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;
(g) If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of
identity have been prescribed by rules as provided by sections 31.10 and 31.102, 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 rules, the common names of
optional ingredients (other than spices, flavoring, and coloring) present in such food;
(h) If it purports to be or is represented as (1) a food for which a standard of quality has been
prescribed by rules as provided by sections 31.10 and 31.102, and its quality falls below such
standard unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such rules 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 rule as provided by sections 31.10 and 31.102, and it falls below the
standard of fill of container applicable thereto unless its label bears, in such manner and form as
such rules specify, a statement that it falls below such standard;
(i) If it is not subject to the provisions of clause (g), 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
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 subclause is impractical or results in deception or unfair competition,
exemptions shall be established by rules promulgated by the commissioner;
(j) 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 rules prescribes as, necessary in order to fully inform purchasers as
to its value for such uses;
(k) 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 clause is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by rules promulgated
by the commissioner. The provisions of this clause and clauses (g) and (i) with respect to
artificial coloring do not apply to butter, cheese or ice cream. The provisions with respect to
chemical preservatives do not apply to a pesticide chemical when used in or on a raw agricultural
commodity which is the product of the soil;
(l) If it is a raw agricultural commodity which is the product of the soil, bearing or containing
a pesticide chemical applied after harvest, unless the shipping container of such commodity bears
labeling which declares the presence of such chemical in or on such commodity and the common
or usual name and the function of such chemical; provided, however, that no such declaration shall
be required while such commodity, having been removed from the shipping container, is being
held or displayed for sale at retail out of such container in accordance with the custom of the trade;
(m) 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;
(n) 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.
History: 1974 c 84 s 32; 1985 c 248 s 70