CHAPTER 418*

UNIFORM FOOD, DRUG AND COSMETIC ACT

*Annotations to former chapter 342:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Connecticut Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act must be interpreted to conform to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. 31 CS 242.

Annotations to present chapter:

Cited. 193 C. 558; 207 C. 698.

Cited. 40 CS 246.

Table of Contents

Sec. 21a-91. (Formerly Sec. 19-211). Short title and legislative intent.

Sec. 21a-92. (Formerly Sec. 19-212). Definitions.

Sec. 21a-92a. Regulation of organically grown food.

Sec. 21a-92b. Definitions.

Sec. 21a-92c. Mandatory labeling of genetically-engineered food, seed or seed stock. Applicability. Civil penalty. Regulations.

Sec. 21a-93. (Formerly Sec. 19-213). Prohibited acts.

Sec. 21a-94. (Formerly Sec. 19-214). Injunction proceedings.

Sec. 21a-95. (Formerly Sec. 19-215). Penalties.

Sec. 21a-96. (Formerly Sec. 19-216). Seizures.

Sec. 21a-97. (Formerly Sec. 19-217). Prosecution for violation. Hearing before report of criminal violation.

Sec. 21a-98. (Formerly Sec. 19-218). Report of minor violations not required.

Sec. 21a-99. (Formerly Sec. 19-219). Proceedings in name of state.

Sec. 21a-100. (Formerly Sec. 19-220). Definitions and standards for food.

Sec. 21a-101. (Formerly Sec. 19-221). Adulterated food. Regulations re alcohol-infused confections.

Sec. 21a-101a. Liability for costs relating to adulterated food. Civil action to recover costs and expenses. Investigation and samples. Seizure, condemnation and destruction. Third party removal and disposal.

Sec. 21a-102. (Formerly Sec. 19-222). Misbranded food. Misbranded seed or seed stock.

Sec. 21a-103. (Formerly Sec. 19-223). Emergency permit control.

Sec. 21a-104. (Formerly Sec. 19-224). Tolerances for poisonous ingredients in food.

Sec. 21a-104a. Sulfiting agents.

Sec. 21a-105. (Formerly Sec. 19-225). Adulterated drugs and devices.

Sec. 21a-106. (Formerly Sec. 19-226). Misbranded drugs and devices.

Sec. 21a-107. Transferred

Sec. 21a-108. (Formerly Sec. 19-227). Illegal obtaining or supplying of drugs. Forged labels.

Sec. 21a-109. (Formerly Sec. 19-228). Drugs dispensed on prescription.

Sec. 21a-110. (Formerly Sec. 19-229). New drugs.

Sec. 21a-111. (Formerly Sec. 19-230). Adulterated cosmetics.

Sec. 21a-112. (Formerly Sec. 19-231). Misbranded cosmetics.

Sec. 21a-113. (Formerly Sec. 19-232). False advertisement of food, drugs, devices and cosmetics.

Sec. 21a-114. (Formerly Sec. 19-233). When advertisement of drugs and devices deemed to be false.

Sec. 21a-115. (Formerly Sec. 19-234). Regulations and hearings. Exemption.

Sec. 21a-116. (Formerly Sec. 19-235). Examinations and investigations.

Sec. 21a-117. (Formerly Sec. 19-236). Records of intrastate shipment.

Sec. 21a-118. (Formerly Sec. 19-237). Inspections. Exceptions. Right to hearing. Reinspection. Civil penalty, suspension or revocation of license or registration.

Sec. 21a-119. (Formerly Sec. 19-238). Publicity.

Sec. 21a-120. (Formerly Sec. 19-239). Interpretation.

Secs. 21a-121 to 21a-125. Reserved


Sec. 21a-91. (Formerly Sec. 19-211). Short title and legislative intent. This chapter may be cited as the “Connecticut Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act”, and is intended to enact state legislation: (1) Which will safeguard the public health and promote the public welfare by protecting the consuming public from injury by product use and the purchasing public from injury by merchandising deceit, arising from intrastate commerce in food, drugs, devices and cosmetics; (2) which shall be uniform, as provided in this chapter, with the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and with the Federal Trade Commission Act, to the extent to which it outlaws the false advertisement of food, drugs, devices and cosmetics; and (3) which will promote uniformity of such legislation and its administration and enforcement in and throughout the United States.

(1949 Rev., S. 3929.)

History: Sec. 19-211 transferred to Sec. 21a-91 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-211:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 15 CS 11; 29 CS 333.

Sec. 21a-92. (Formerly Sec. 19-212). Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter and sections 21a-65 and 21a-90, the following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter specified:

(1) “Advertisement” means all representations disseminated in any manner or by any means, other than by labeling, for the purpose of inducing, or which are likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase of food, drugs, devices or cosmetics;

(2) (A) “Color additive” means a material that (i) is a dye, pigment or other substance made by a process of synthesis or similar artifice, or extracted, isolated or otherwise derived, with or without intermediate or final change of identity, from a vegetable, animal, mineral or other source, and (ii) when added or applied to a food, drug or cosmetic, or to the human body or any of its parts, is capable, alone or through reaction with other substance, of imparting color thereto, except that the term “color additive” does not include any material exempted by regulation under the federal act, or that the commissioner, by regulation, determines is used, or intended to be used, solely for a purpose or purposes other than coloring; (B) the term “color” includes black, white and intermediate grays, as well as all other colors; (C) nothing in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be construed to apply to any pesticide chemical, soil or plant nutrient, or other agricultural chemical used, or intended to be used, solely because of its effect in aiding, retarding or otherwise affecting, directly or indirectly, the growth or other natural physiological processes of produce of the soil that thereby affects its color, whether before or after harvest;

(3) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Consumer Protection;

(4) “Contaminated with filth” applies to any food, drug, device or cosmetic not securely protected from dust or dirt, and as far as may be necessary, by all reasonable means, from all foreign or injurious contaminations;

(5) “Cosmetic” means (A) articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any of its parts for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance, and (B) articles intended for use as a component of any such articles; except that such term shall not include soap;

(6) “Device”, except when used in subdivision (15) of this section and in subsection (i) of section 21a-93, subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of section 21a-102, subsection (c) of section 21a-106 and subsection (c) of section 21a-112, means instruments, apparatus and contrivances, including their components, parts and accessories, intended (A) for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in humans or other animals, or (B) to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals;

(7) “Director” means the director of the agricultural experiment station;

(8) “Drug” means (A) articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; (B) articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in humans or other animals; (C) articles, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or any other animal; and (D) articles intended for use as a component of any articles specified in this subdivision; but shall not include devices or their components, parts or accessories;

(9) “Federal act” means the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, Title 21 USC 301 et seq.: 52 Stat. 1040 et seq.;

(10) “Food” means (A) articles used for food or drink for humans or other animals, (B) chewing gum, (C) infant formula, and (D) articles used for components of any such article;

(11) “Food additive” means any substance the intended use of which results or reasonably may be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in its becoming a component or otherwise affecting the characteristics of any food, including any substance intended for use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting or holding food; and including any source of radiation intended for any such use, if such substance is not generally recognized, among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate its safety, as having been adequately shown through scientific procedures or, in the case of a substance used in food prior to January 1, 1958, through either scientific procedures or experience based on common use in food, to be safe under the conditions of its intended use; except that such term does not include (A) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; or (B) a pesticide chemical to the extent that it is intended for use or is used in the production, storage or transportation of any raw agricultural commodity; or (C) a color additive; or (D) any substance used in accordance with a sanction or approval granted prior to June 12, 1963, or the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 USC 451 et seq.) or the Meat Inspection Act of March 4, 1907, as amended;

(12) “Immediate container” shall not include package liners;

(13) “Infant formula” means a milk-based or soy-based powder, concentrated liquid or ready-to-feed substitute for human breast milk that is intended for infant consumption and is commercially available;

(14) “Intrastate commerce” means any and all commerce within the state of Connecticut and subject to its jurisdiction, and shall include the operation of any business or service establishment;

(15) “Label” means a display of written, printed or graphic matter upon the immediate container of any article, provided a requirement made by or under authority of this chapter that any information or other word or statement appear on the label shall not be considered to be complied with unless such information or other word or statement also appears on the outside container or wrapper, if any, of the retail package of such article, or is easily legible through the outside container or wrapper;

(16) “Labeling” means all labels and other written, printed or graphic matter (A) upon any article or any of its containers or wrappers, or (B) accompanying such article, provided, if an article is alleged to be misbranded because the labeling is misleading, or if an advertisement is alleged to be false because it is misleading, then, in determining whether the labeling or advertisement is misleading, there shall be taken into account, among other things, not only representations made or suggested by statement, word, design, device or sound, or any combination thereof, but also the extent to which the labeling or advertisement fails to reveal facts material in the light of such representations or material with respect to consequences which may result from the use of the article to which the labeling or advertisement relates under the conditions of use prescribed in the labeling or advertisement thereof or under such conditions of use as are customary or usual, and provided the representation of a drug, in its labeling or advertisement, as an antiseptic shall be considered to be a representation that it is a germicide, except in the case of a drug purporting to be, or represented as, an antiseptic for inhibitory use as a wet dressing, ointment or dusting powder or for such other use as involves prolonged contact with the body;

(17) “Natural food” means food (A) that has not been treated with preservatives, antibiotics, synthetic additives, artificial flavoring or artificial coloring; and (B) that has not been processed in a manner that makes such food significantly less nutritive; and (C) on and after the Commissioner of Consumer Protection recognizes the occurrence of the events described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 21a-92c, that has not been genetically engineered, as defined in section 21a-92b, provided this subparagraph shall apply only to food that is intended for human consumption. Processing of food by extracting, purifying, heating, fermenting, concentrating, dehydrating, cooling or freezing shall not, of itself, prevent the designation of such food as “natural food”;

(18) “New drug” means (A) any drug the composition of which is such that such drug is not generally recognized, among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of drugs, as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended or suggested in its labeling, or (B) any drug the composition of which is such that such drug, as a result of investigation to determine its safety and effectiveness for use under such conditions, has become so recognized, but which has not, otherwise than in such investigations, been used to a material extent or for a material time under such conditions, except that the provisions of this subsection pertaining to “effectiveness” shall not apply to any drug that (i) was commercially sold or used in the United States on October 9, 1962, (ii) was not a new drug as defined by this subsection prior to the enactment of these provisions, and (iii) was not covered by an effective application under section 21a-110 or under Section 355 of the federal act, when such drug is intended solely for use under conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in labeling with respect to such drug on whichever of the above dates is applicable;

(19) “Official compendium” means the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them;

(20) “Organically grown” means produced through organic farming methods, which involve a system of ecological soil management and mechanical or biological methods to control insects, weeds, pathogens and other pests and which rely on crop rotation, crop residues, composted animal manures, legumes, green manures, composted organic waste or mineral-bearing rocks;

(21) “Person” includes any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or association;

(22) “Pesticide chemical” means any substance that, alone, in chemical combination or in formulation with one or more other substances is an “economic poison” within the meaning of the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC 135-135k, and that is used in the production, storage or transportation of raw agricultural commodities;

(23) “Raw agricultural commodity” means any food in its raw or natural state, including all fruits that are washed, colored or otherwise treated in their unpeeled natural form prior to marketing;

(24) The term “safe” has reference to the health of human or animal;

(25) “Sale” means any and every sale and includes (A) manufacture, processing, packing, canning, bottling or any other production, preparation or putting up; (B) exposure, offer or any other proffer; (C) holding, storing or any other possessing; (D) dispensing, giving, delivering, serving or any other supplying; and (E) applying, administering or any other using.

(1949 Rev., S. 3930; 1959, P.A. 412, S. 38, 42; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 593, S. 9; P.A. 73-681, S. 24, 29; P.A. 79-379, S. 1; 79-457, S. 1, 4; P.A. 95-79, S. 75, 189; P.A. 98-73, S. 1, 4; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 13-183, S. 1; P.A. 14-17, S. 1; 14-224, S. 6.)

History: 1959 act replaced commissioner of food and drugs with commissioner of consumer protection; 1963 act updated Subsec. (h) to refer to act as amended, changed Subsec. (n) to refer to effectiveness of drugs, adding exceptions to this provision and added Subsecs. (r) through (v); 1969 act redefined “commissioner” to include commissioner of health where chapter applies to practitioner, care-giving institution or juvenile training institution; P.A. 73-681 deleted commissioner of health from definition of “commissioner”; P.A. 79-379 changed alphabetic Subdiv. indicators to numeric indicators and numeric Subpara. indicators to alphabetic indicators, inserted definitions of “color additive”, “food additive”, “pesticide chemical”, “safe” and “raw agricultural commodity” in proper alphabetical order, removing them from end of section, defined “natural food” and “organically grown food” and made minor technical changes; P.A. 79-457 made definitions applicable to Sec. 19-66a (transferred to Sec. 19-209a in 1981); Sec. 19-212 transferred to Sec. 21a-92 in 1983; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 98-73 amended Subdiv. (19) to revise the definition of “organically grown”, effective July 1, 1998; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 13-183 added reference to Secs. 21a-92b, 21a-92c and 21a-102, redefined “food” by adding new Subpara. (C) re infant formula in Subdiv. (10), added new Subdiv. (13) defining “infant formula”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (13) to (24) as Subdivs. (14) to (25), redefined “natural food” by adding Subpara. (C) re genetically-engineered food in redesignated Subdiv. (17), replaced “man” with “humans” throughout, and made technical changes; P.A. 14-17 amended Subdiv. (17) by redefining “natural food”, effective May 12, 2014; P.A. 14-224 added reference to Sec. 21a-90 and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2014.

Annotations to former section 19-212:

Commissioner has no power to determine whether or not a drug is a “new drug”. 15 CS 11. Sale of food contaminated with filth may be enjoined by commissioner. 31 CS 242.

Sec. 21a-92a. Regulation of organically grown food. (a) No person may advertise, distribute or sell a food or food supplement described as “organic”, “organically grown” or “natural” or described with or by words of similar meaning, unless such food or food supplement complies with the definitions of “organically grown food” or “natural food”, as the case may be, as provided in section 21a-92.

(b) Agricultural products or by-products that have been organically grown, as defined in section 21a-92, shall be certified as organically grown annually by the Department of Agriculture or a certification body recognized by the National Organic Standards Board or the United States Department of Agriculture. Organic certification shall include at least one annual site visit by an independent inspector approved by the certification body. Such certification bodies shall issue certification standards which denote approved, regulated and prohibited farming practices and substances. Certification standards shall be reviewed and updated annually by the certification body. Agricultural products or by-products that have been certified as organically grown shall not be intentionally subjected to prohibited substances and shall not contain residues in excess of five per cent of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's allowable tolerance level caused by unintentional and unavoidable contamination by prohibited substances. Certified organic farming shall be a production system which prohibits the use of synthetically manufactured fertilizers, synthetically manufactured pesticides, synthetically manufactured herbicides, synthetically manufactured fungicides, synthetically manufactured growth regulators, irradiation or transgenic seeds and sewage sludge. Violations of this section shall be reported to the Department of Consumer Protection.

(c) All foods advertised, distributed or sold in violation of this section shall be deemed to be misbranded under section 21a-102.

(P.A. 98-73, S. 2, 4; P.A. 02-51, S. 1; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(d), (f); P.A. 04-169, S. 17; 04-189, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 98-73 effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 02-51 amended Subsec. (b) by transferring certification from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut to the Department of Agriculture and changing residue requirement from 1% to 5%; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 and P.A. 04-169 replaced separate Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection with single Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

Sec. 21a-92b. Definitions. For purposes of this section and sections 21a-92c, 21a-99 and 21a-102:

(1) “Enzyme” means a protein that catalyzes chemical reactions of other substances without being destroyed or altered upon completion of such reactions;

(2) “Genetic engineering” means a process by which a food or food ingredient that is produced from an organism or organisms in which the genetic material has been changed through the application of: (A) In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) techniques and the direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles; or (B) fusion of cells, including protoplast fusion, or hybridization techniques that overcome natural physiological, reproductive or recombination barriers, where the donor cells or protoplasts do not fall within the same taxonomic group, in a way that does not occur by natural multiplication or natural recombination;

(3) “In vitro nucleic acid techniques” means techniques, including, but not limited to, recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques, that use vector systems and techniques involving the direct introduction into organisms of hereditary materials prepared outside the organisms such as microinjection, macroinjection, chemoporation, electroporation, microencapsulation and liposome fusion;

(4) “Organism” means any biological entity capable of replication, reproduction or transferring genetic material;

(5) “Processed food” means any food intended for human consumption other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any such food produced from a raw agricultural commodity that has been processed through canning, smoking, pressing, cooking, freezing, dehydration, fermentation or milling;

(6) “Processing aid” means: (A) Any substance that is added to a food intended for human consumption during the processing of such food but that is removed in some manner from the food before the food is packaged in a finished form; (B) any substance that is added to such food during processing, that is converted into constituents normally present in the food, and that does not significantly increase the amount of the constituents naturally found in the food; or (C) any substance that is added to such food for its technical or functional effect in the processing but that is present in the finished food at insignificant levels and that does not have any technical or functional effect in the finished food;

(7) “Retailer” means a person or entity that engages in the sale of food intended for human consumption to a consumer;

(8) “Distributor” means a person or entity that sells, supplies, furnishes or transports food intended for human consumption in this state that such person or entity does not produce; and

(9) “Manufacturer” means a person who produces food intended for human consumption or seed or seed stock that is intended to produce food for human consumption and sells such item to a retailer or distributor.

(P.A. 13-183, S. 2.)

Sec. 21a-92c. Mandatory labeling of genetically-engineered food, seed or seed stock. Applicability. Civil penalty. Regulations. (a) On October first following the date the Commissioner of Consumer Protection recognizes the occurrence of both of the following: (1) Four states, not including this state, enact a mandatory labeling law for genetically-engineered foods that is consistent with the provisions of this subsection, provided one such state borders Connecticut; and (2) the aggregate population of such states located in the northeast region of the United States that have enacted a mandatory labeling law for genetically-engineered foods that is consistent with this subsection exceed twenty million based on 2010 census figures, (A) food intended for human consumption, and (B) seed or seed stock that is intended to produce food for human consumption, that is entirely or partially genetically-engineered, except a processed food subject to the provisions of this section solely because one or more processing aids or enzymes were produced or derived from genetic engineering, shall be labeled as follows: (i) In the case of such food that is sold wholesale and is not intended for retail sale, on the bill of sale accompanying such food during shipping, with the clear and conspicuous words: “Produced with Genetic Engineering”; (ii) in the case of such food for retail sale contained in a package, with the clear and conspicuous words: “Produced with Genetic Engineering”; (iii) in the case of such food that is a raw agricultural commodity, on the package offered for retail sale or, in the case of any such commodity that is not separately packaged or labeled, on the bill of sale or invoice for such commodity and on the retail store shelf or bin that holds such commodity displayed for sale with the clear and conspicuous words: “Produced with Genetic Engineering”; and (iv) in the case of any such seed or seed stock, on the container holding the seed or seed stock displayed for sale or on any label identifying ownership or possession of the commodity with the clear and conspicuous words: “Produced with Genetic Engineering”. Such food labeling shall be displayed in the same size and font as the ingredients in the nutritional facts panel on the food label. Not later than thirty days after the Commissioner of Consumer Protection recognizes the occurrence of the events described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the commissioner shall cause to be published in the five newspapers in the state having the largest circulation, notice of the date the requirements of this section become effective. For purposes of this section, “states located in the northeast region of the United States” means Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

(b) The requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) Alcoholic beverages;

(2) Nonalcoholic malt beverages, which, for the purposes of this subdivision, means beverages containing not more than one-half of one per cent alcohol by volume, obtained by alcohol fermentation of an infusion or concoction of water, hops, barley malt or cereal grains;

(3) Food intended for human consumption that is not packaged for retail sale and that either: (A) Is a processed food prepared and intended for immediate consumption, or (B) is served, sold or otherwise provided in any restaurant or other food facility that is primarily engaged in the sale of food prepared and intended for immediate consumption;

(4) Farm products that are sold by a farmer or the farmer's agent to a consumer at a pick-your-own farm, roadside stand, on-farm market or farmers' market; and

(5) Food consisting entirely of, or derived entirely from, an animal that was not genetically engineered, regardless of whether such animal was fed or injected with any genetically-engineered food or any drug that was produced through means of genetic engineering.

(c) Any person selling, offering for sale or distributing in this state any food, seed or seed stock required to be labeled as provided in this section shall be responsible for ensuring that such food, seed or seed stock is so labeled.

(d) The provisions of this section shall be enforced, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

(e) Any person found to knowingly violate this section shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars per day, per product. Calculation of such civil penalty shall not be made or multiplied by the number of individual packages of the same product displayed or offered for retail sale. Civil penalties assessed under this section shall accrue and be assessed per each uniquely named, designated or marketed product.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, a retailer shall not be penalized or otherwise held liable for the failure to label pursuant to this section unless (1) the retailer is the producer or the manufacturer of the genetically-engineered food, seed or seed stock and sells the genetically-engineered food under a brand it owns, or (2) the retailer's failure to label was knowing and wilful. In any action in which it is alleged that a retailer has violated the provisions of this section, it shall be a defense that such retailer reasonably relied on (A) any disclosure concerning genetically-engineered foods contained in the bill of sale or invoice provided by the wholesaler or distributor pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or (B) the lack of any such disclosure.

(g) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement and enforce the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 13-183, S. 3; P.A. 15-13, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 15-13 amended Subsec. (b) to add new Subdiv. (2) re nonalcoholic malt beverages and redesignate existing Subdivs. (2) to (4) as Subdivs. (3) to (5), effective July 1, 2015.

Sec. 21a-93. (Formerly Sec. 19-213). Prohibited acts. The following acts and the causing thereof shall be prohibited: (a) The sale in intrastate commerce of any food, drug, device or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded; (b) the adulteration or misbranding of any food, drug, device or cosmetic in intrastate commerce; (c) the receipt in intrastate commerce of any food, drug, device or cosmetic that is adulterated or misbranded, and the sale thereof in such commerce for pay or otherwise; (d) the introduction or delivery for introduction into intrastate commerce of (1) any food in violation of section 21a-103 or (2) any new drug in violation of section 21a-110; (e) the dissemination within this state, in any manner or by any means or through any medium, of any false advertisement; (f) the refusal to permit (1) entry and the taking of a sample or specimen or the making of an investigation as authorized by section 21a-116, or (2) access to or copying of any record as authorized by section 21a-117; (g) the refusal to permit entry or inspection as authorized by section 21a-118; (h) the giving of a guaranty or undertaking in intrastate commerce, referred to in subsection (c) of section 21a-95, that is false; (i) the forging, counterfeiting, simulating or falsely representing, or, without proper authority, using, any mark, stamp, tag, label or other identification device authorized or required by regulations promulgated under the provisions of this chapter or of the federal act; (j) the alteration, mutilation, destruction, obliteration or removal of the whole or any part of the labeling of a food, drug, device or cosmetic, or the doing of any other act with respect to a food, drug, device or cosmetic, or the labeling or advertisement thereof, which results in a violation of this chapter; (k) the using in interstate commerce, in the labeling or advertisement of any drug, of any representation or suggestion that an application with respect to such drug is effective under Section 355 of the federal act or under section 21a-110, or that such drug complies with the provisions of either such section; (l) the violation of any provision of section 21a-108; (m) in the case of a prescription drug distributed or offered for sale in this state, the failure of the manufacturer, packer or distributor thereof to maintain for transmittal, or to transmit, to any practitioner licensed by applicable state law to administer such drug who makes written request for information as to such drug, true and correct copies of all printed matter which is required to be included in any package in which that drug is distributed or sold, or such other printed matter as is approved by the commissioner or under the federal act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt any person from any labeling requirement imposed by or under other provisions of this chapter unless specifically exempted under the federal act, as effective on April 26, 1974; (n) the using by any person to his own advantage, or revealing, other than to the commissioner or his duly authorized agents or to the courts when relevant in any judicial proceeding under this chapter, of any information acquired under authority of this chapter concerning any method, process, substance or any other subject which as a trade secret is entitled to protection; (o) (1) placing or causing to be placed upon any drug or device or upon the container of any drug or device, with intent to defraud, the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness thereof; or (2) selling, dispensing, disposing of or causing to be sold, dispensed or disposed of or concealing or keeping in possession, control or custody, with intent to sell, dispense or dispose of, any drug, device or any container thereof transported, received or held for transportation in commerce, with knowledge that the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness thereof has been placed thereon in a manner prohibited by subdivision (1) hereof; or (3) making, selling, disposing of or causing to be made, sold or disposed of or keeping in possession, control or custody, or concealing, with intent to defraud, any punch, die, plate, stone or other thing designed to print, imprint or reproduce the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark, imprint or device of another or any likeness thereof upon any drug, device or container thereof.

(1949 Rev., S. 3931; 1955, S. 2091d; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 593, S. 10; P.A. 74-72, S. 1, 3.)

History: 1963 act added provision in Subsec. (i) for regulations promulgated under the federal act and added Subsecs. (m) through (o); 1969 act replaced “officers or employees of the department of consumer protection” with “his duly authorized agents” in Subsec. (n); P.A. 74-72 clarified construction of Subsec. (m) re exemption from labeling requirements to allow exemptions if “specifically exempted under the federal act, as effective on April 26, 1974”; Sec. 19-213 transferred to Sec. 21a-93 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-213:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 29 CS 333. Operation of a supermarket which is in repeated violation of section may be enjoined by commissioner pursuant to Sec. 19-214 (21a-94); sale of adulterated food is forbidden by Subsec. (a). 31 CS 242. Cited. 40 CS 246.

Sec. 21a-94. (Formerly Sec. 19-214). Injunction proceedings. In addition to the remedies hereinafter provided, the commissioner is authorized to apply to the Superior Court for, and such court shall have jurisdiction upon hearing and for cause shown to grant, a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating any provision of section 21a-93, irrespective of whether or not there exists an adequate remedy at law.

(1949 Rev., S. 3932.)

History: Sec. 19-214 transferred to Sec. 21a-94 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-214:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Action by commissioner to enjoin violations of Sec. 19-213 (21a-93) is an action by the state in sufficient compliance with Sec. 19-219 (21a-99). 31 CS 242.

Sec. 21a-95. (Formerly Sec. 19-215). Penalties. (a) Any person who violates any provision of section 21a-93 shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than five hundred dollars or both; but, if the violation is committed after a conviction of such person under this subsection has become final, such person shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than one thousand dollars or both.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person who violates any provision of section 21a-93, with intent to defraud or mislead, shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than one thousand dollars or both.

(c) No person shall be subject to the penalties of subsection (a) of this section for having violated subsection (a) or (c) of section 21a-93 if he establishes a guaranty or undertaking signed by and containing the name and address of the person residing in this state from whom he received the article in good faith, to the effect that such article is not adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this chapter. In such guaranty this chapter shall be designated by title.

(d) No publisher, radiobroadcast licensee, advertising agency or agency or medium for the dissemination of advertising, except the manufacturer, packer, distributor or seller of the article to which the advertisement relates, shall be subject to the penalties of subsection (a) of this section by reason of his dissemination of any false advertisement, unless he has refused, on the request of the commissioner, to furnish the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, seller or advertising agency in the United States, who caused him to disseminate such false advertisement.

(1949 Rev., S. 3933.)

History: Sec. 19-215 transferred to Sec. 21a-95 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-215:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 15 CS 11; 29 CS 333.

Sec. 21a-96. (Formerly Sec. 19-216). Seizures. (a) Whenever the commissioner or his authorized agent finds, or has probable cause to believe, that any food, drug, device or cosmetic is offered or exposed for sale, or held in possession with intent to distribute or sell, or is intended for distribution or sale in violation of any provision of this chapter, whether it is in the custody of a common carrier or any other person, he may affix to such article a tag or other appropriate marking, giving notice that such article is, or is suspected of being, in violation of this chapter and has been embargoed. Within twenty-one days after an embargo has been placed upon any article, the embargo shall be removed by the commissioner or a summary proceeding for the confiscation of the article shall be instituted by the commissioner. No person shall remove or dispose of such embargoed article by sale or otherwise without the permission of the commissioner or his agent, or, after summary proceedings have been instituted, without permission from the court. If the embargo is removed by the commissioner or by the court, neither the commissioner nor the state shall be held liable for damages because of such embargo if the court finds that there was probable cause for the embargo.

(b) Proceedings before the Superior Court brought in accordance with this section shall be by complaint, verified by affidavit, which may be made on information and belief in the name of the commissioner against the article to be confiscated.

(c) The complaint shall contain: (1) A particular description of the article, (2) the name of the place where the article is located, (3) the name of the person in whose possession or custody the article was found, if such name is known to the person making the complaint or can be ascertained by reasonable effort, and (4) a statement as to the manner in which the article is adulterated or misbranded or the characteristics which render its distribution or sale illegal.

(d) Upon the filing of the verified complaint, the court shall issue a warrant directed to the proper officer to seize and take in his possession the article described in the complaint and bring the same before the court which issued the warrant and to summon the person named in the warrant, and any other person found in possession of the article, to appear at the time and place therein specified.

(e) Any such person shall be summoned by service of a copy of the warrant in the same manner as a summons issuing out of the court in which the warrant has been issued.

(f) The hearing upon the complaint shall be at the time and place specified in the warrant, which time shall not be less than five days or more than fifteen days from the date of issuing the warrant, but, if the execution and service of the warrant has been less than three days before the return of the warrant, either party shall be entitled to a reasonable continuance. Upon the hearing the complaint may be amended.

(g) Any person who appears and claims the food, drug, device or cosmetic seized under the warrant shall be required to file a claim in writing.

(h) If, upon the hearing, it appears that the article was offered or exposed for sale, or had in possession with intent to distribute or sell, or was intended for distribution or sale, in violation of any provision of this chapter, it shall be confiscated and disposed of by destruction or sale as the court may direct, but no such article shall be sold contrary to any provision of this chapter. The proceeds of any sale, less the legal costs and charges, shall be paid into the State Treasury.

(i) If the article seized is not injurious to health and is of such character that, when properly packed, marked, branded or otherwise brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter, its sale would not be prohibited, the court may order such article delivered to the owner upon the payment of the costs of the proceedings and the execution and delivery to the state department instituting the proceedings, as obligee, of a good and sufficient bond to the effect that such article will be brought into compliance with the provisions of this chapter under the supervision of said department, and the expenses of such supervision shall be paid by the owner obtaining release of the article under bond.

(j) Whenever the commissioner or any of his authorized agents finds in any room, building, vehicle of transportation, or other structure, any meat, seafood, poultry, vegetable, fruit or other perishable article which is unsound, or contains any filthy, decomposed or putrid substance, or that may be poisonous or deleterious to health or otherwise unsafe, the commissioner, or his authorized agent, shall forthwith condemn or destroy the same, or in any other manner render the same unsalable as a human food.

(k) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each separate offense on any person who removes any tag or other appropriate marking affixed to an article which has been embargoed or condemned in accordance with the provisions of this section, without the permission of the commissioner or his agent.

(1949 Rev., S. 3934; 1959, P.A. 28, S. 61; P.A. 74-40, S. 1, 2; 74-183, S. 227, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 196, 681; P.A. 86-339, S. 1; P.A. 07-217, S. 96.)

History: 1959 act deleted references to local justices and town, police or city court or the judges thereof, placing jurisdiction in the circuit court; P.A. 74-40 changed time for removal of embargo or summary proceeding from within 12 to within 21 days of placing embargo in Subsec. (a); P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas in Subsec. (b), effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 deleted Subsec. (b) re jurisdiction of court of common pleas to hear and determine proceedings, redesignated remaining Subsecs. accordingly and clarified that proceedings are before superior court in Subsec. (b) (formerly (c)), effective July 1, 1978; Sec. 19-216 transferred to Sec. 21a-96 in 1983; P.A. 86-339 added Subsec. (k) authorizing commissioner to impose a civil penalty; P.A. 07-217 made a technical change in Subsec. (c), effective July 12, 2007.

Annotation to former section 19-216:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Annotation to present section:

Cited. 224 C. 29.

Sec. 21a-97. (Formerly Sec. 19-217). Prosecution for violation. Hearing before report of criminal violation. (a) Each state's attorney or assistant state's attorney of the Superior Court to whom the commissioner reports any violation of this chapter shall cause appropriate proceedings to be instituted without delay, and to be prosecuted as prescribed by law.

(b) Before any violation of this chapter, except for any violation of subdivision (l) of section 21a-93, is reported by the commissioner to any such attorney for the institution of a criminal proceeding, the person against whom such proceeding is contemplated shall be given appropriate notice and an opportunity to present his views to the commissioner, either orally or in writing, with regard to such contemplated proceeding.

(1949 Rev., S. 3935; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 58; P.A. 74-183, S. 228, 291; P.A. 76-436, S. 197, 681; P.A. 80-291.)

History: 1961 act substituted prosecuting attorney of circuit court for town or city prosecuting attorney; P.A. 74-183 replaced circuit court with court of common pleas in Subsec. (a), effective December 31, 1974; P.A. 76-436 replaced prosecuting attorney with assistant state's attorney and court of common pleas with superior court and deleted “in the proper courts” referring to institution of proceedings in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 80-291 added exception re violations of Sec. 19-213(l) in Subsec. (b); Sec. 19-217 transferred to Sec. 21a-97 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-217:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 15 CS 11.

Sec. 21a-98. (Formerly Sec. 19-218). Report of minor violations not required. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the commissioner to report, for the institution of proceedings under this chapter, minor violations of this chapter, whenever he believes that the public interest will be adequately served in the circumstances by a suitable written notice or warning.

(1949 Rev., S. 3936.)

History: Sec. 19-218 transferred to Sec. 21a-98 in 1983.

Annotation to former section 19-218:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Sec. 21a-99. (Formerly Sec. 19-219). Proceedings in name of state. All such proceedings for the enforcement, or to restrain violations, of this chapter shall be by and in the name of the state of Connecticut.

(1949 Rev., S. 3937; P.A. 13-183, S. 5.)

History: Sec. 19-219 transferred to Sec. 21a-99 in 1983; P.A. 13-183 added reference to Sec. 21a-92c.

Annotation to former section 19-219:

Injunction action by commissioner brought under Sec. 19-214 (21a-94) is in compliance with this section. 31 CS 242.

Sec. 21a-100. (Formerly Sec. 19-220). Definitions and standards for food. Definitions and standards of identity, quality and fill of container and their amendments, now or hereafter adopted under authority of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, shall be the definitions of standards of identity, quality and fill of containers in this state. Whenever the commissioner and director agree that such action will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, they, acting jointly may promulgate regulations establishing definitions and standards of identity, quality and fill of container for foods where no federal regulations exist. Temporary permits granted by federal authority for interstate shipment of experimental packs of food varying from the requirements of federal definitions and standards of identity shall be effective in this state under the conditions provided in such permits. In prescribing a definition and standard of identity for any food or class of food in which optional ingredients are permitted, the commissioner and director, acting jointly, shall, for the purpose of promoting honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, designate the optional ingredients which shall be named on the label. The definitions and standards so promulgated shall conform, so far as practicable, to the definitions and standards promulgated under authority of the federal act, the federal Meat Inspection Act or the federal Poultry Inspection Act.

(1949 Rev., S. 3938; 1971, P.A. 169.)

History: 1971 act specified that federal standards shall be adopted by state and that foods without federal standards may be regulated by state, added provision re temporary permits for interstate shipment of experimental foods and replaced standards promulgated by the secretary of health, education and welfare with standards promulgated under federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Inspection Act; Sec. 19-220 transferred to Sec. 21a-100 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-101. (Formerly Sec. 19-221). Adulterated food. Regulations re alcohol-infused confections. (a) A food shall be deemed to be adulterated:

(1) (A) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but, if the substance is not an added substance, such food shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in such food would not ordinarily render it injurious to health; (B) if it bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance which is unsafe within the meaning of section 21a-104; (C) if it consists in whole or in part of any diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid or decomposed substance or if it is otherwise unfit for food; (D) if it has been produced, prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered diseased, unwholesome or injurious to health; (E) if it is in whole or in part the product of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter or which has been fed on the uncooked offal from a slaughterhouse; or (F) if its container is composed in whole or in part of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health;

(2) (A) If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; (B) if any substance has been substituted wholly or in part therefor; (C) if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or (D) if any substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to increase its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear better or of greater value than it is;

(3) If it bears or contains a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 21a-104;

(4) If it is confectionery and it bears or contains any alcohol or nonnutritive article or substance except harmless coloring, harmless flavoring, harmless resinous glaze not in excess of four-tenths of one per cent, harmless natural gum or pectin; provided this subdivision shall not apply to any confectionery by reason of its containing less than one-half of one per cent by volume of alcohol derived solely from the use of flavoring extracts, or to any chewing gum by reason of its containing harmless nonnutritive masticatory substances, or any alcohol-infused confection subject to regulations adopted under subsection (b) of this section; and

(5) If such food is to be offered for sale at retail as a food product and a retail or wholesale establishment has added any sulfiting agent, including sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite, separately or in combination, to such food.

(b) The commissioner shall approve the sale of alcohol-infused confections containing not more than one-half of one per cent of alcohol by weight and shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, regarding the manufacture, sale and distribution of such confections.

(1949 Rev., S. 3939; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 3; P.A. 86-322, S. 2; P.A. 21-50, S. 1.)

History: 1963 act deleted provision in subsection (c) re adulteration when product contains a coal tar color which is not suitable for use in food according to regulations promulgated under section 346(b) of the federal act, substituting reference to color additive unsafe within meaning of Sec. 19-224; Sec. 19-221 transferred to Sec. 21a-101 in 1983; P.A. 86-322 added Subsec. (e) which provided that food offered at retail which contains a sulfiting agent added by a wholesaler or retail is considered adulterated; P.A. 21-50 amended Subsec. (a) to redesignate existing Subdivs.(1) to (6) as Subparas. (A) to (F) in Subdiv. (1), redesignated existing Subsecs. (b)(1) to (4) as Subparas. (A) to (D) in Subsec. (a)(2), redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (e) as Subsecs. (a)(3) to (a)(5), added new Subsec. (b) re approval and regulations re alcohol-infused confections and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2021.

Annotation to former section 19-221:

Sale of food adulterated because contaminated with filth may be enjoined by commissioner. 31 CS 242.

Sec. 21a-101a. Liability for costs relating to adulterated food. Civil action to recover costs and expenses. Investigation and samples. Seizure, condemnation and destruction. Third party removal and disposal. (a) If food becomes adulterated pursuant to section 21a-101, the person who maintained physical custody of the food at the time the food became adulterated shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the Department of Consumer Protection in investigating, containing, removing, monitoring, mitigating and disposing of such adulterated food, as well as any associated legal expenses. If such adulteration was caused by the discharge, spillage or uncontrolled loss of a food product, the person who maintained physical custody of the food at the time the food became adulterated shall be liable for all associated costs and expenses of cleanup and disposal. Upon request of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, the Attorney General may bring a civil action to recover all such costs and expenses.

(b) In accordance with sections 21a-116 and 21a-118, the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent may investigate and take samples of foods. In addition to the seizure powers granted to the commissioner pursuant to section 21a-96, the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized agent may seize, condemn, destroy, or in any other manner render unsalable, any adulterated foods he or she deems to be poisonous, deleterious to public health or otherwise unsafe.

(c) If the person who maintained physical custody of the food at the time the food became adulterated cannot be reasonably identified or contacted by the department, the commissioner may contract with a third party to contain, remove and dispose of the adulterated food to mitigate the impact on public health and safety.

(P.A. 17-77, S. 13.)

History: P.A. 17-77 effective July 1, 2017.

Sec. 21a-102. (Formerly Sec. 19-222). Misbranded food. Misbranded seed or seed stock. (a) A food shall be deemed to be misbranded: (1) If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular. A statement on the label or labeling either directly or indirectly implying that the product is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal or state government shall be considered misleading, unless the agency concerned has approved the statement prior to its use; (2) if it is offered for sale under the name of another food; (3) if it is an imitation of another food, 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, under this subparagraph, reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly; (6) if any information or other word or statement, 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 simulates or is represented as a food for which a definition and standard of identity has been prescribed by regulations as provided by section 21a-100, unless (A) it conforms to such definition and standard, and (B) its label bears the name of the food specified in the definition and standard, and, so far as may be required by such regulations, the common names of optional ingredients, other than spices, flavoring and coloring, present in such food; (8) if it purports to be or is represented as (A) a food for which a standard of quality has been prescribed by regulations as provided by section 21a-100 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; (B) a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations as provided by section 21a-100, and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard; or (C) a food for which no definition and standard of identity and no standard of quality has been prescribed by regulations as provided by section 21a-100, and it falls below the standard of purity, quality or strength which it purports or is represented to possess; (9) if it is not subject to the provisions of subdivision (7) of this subsection, unless its label bears (A) the common or usual name of the food, if any, and (B) if 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, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph is impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly; (10) if it purports to be or is represented to be for special dietary uses, unless its label bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral and other dietary properties as is necessary in order fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses, as provided by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly; (11) if it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, artificial sweetening or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact; provided, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subsection is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly; (12) if it is intended for human consumption and genetically-engineered, as defined in section 21a-92b, and does not bear labeling as required in accordance with section 21a-92c, unless (A) it is a food intended for human consumption produced without the producer's knowledge that a seed or other component of such food was genetically-engineered, or (B) on or before July 1, 2019, it is a processed food, as defined in section 21a-92b, that is subject to the provisions of section 21a-92c, solely because it contains one or more materials that have been produced with genetic engineering, as defined in section 21a-92b, provided such genetically-engineered materials do not, in the aggregate, account for more than nine-tenths of one per cent of the total weight of the processed food.

(b) Seed or seed stock that is intended to produce food for human consumption shall be deemed misbranded if it is genetically-engineered, as defined in section 21a-92b, and does not bear labeling as required in accordance with section 21a-92c.

(1949 Rev., S. 3940; 1951, S. 2092d; 1953, S. 2093d; 1955, S. 2094d; P.A. 13-183, S. 4.)

History: Sec. 19-222 transferred to Sec. 21a-102 in 1983; P.A. 13-183 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to redesignate Subdivs. (a) to (k) as Subdivs. (1) to (11), make technical changes and add Subdiv. (12) re genetically-engineered food intended for human consumption, and added Subsec. (b) re seed or seed stock intended to produce food for human consumption.

Annotations to former section 19-222:

Cited. 179 C. 471.

Cited. 40 CS 246.

Sec. 21a-103. (Formerly Sec. 19-223). Emergency permit control. (a) Whenever the commissioner finds, after investigation, that the distribution in intrastate commerce of any class of food may, by reason of contamination with microorganisms during the manufacture, processing or packing thereof in any locality, be injurious to health, and that such injurious nature cannot be adequately determined after such articles have entered intrastate commerce, he then, and in such case only, shall promulgate regulations providing for the issuance, to manufacturers, processors or packers of such class of food in such locality, of permits to which shall be attached such conditions governing the manufacture, processing or packing of such class of food, for such temporary period of time, as may be necessary to protect the public health; and, after the effective date of such regulations, and during such temporary period, no person shall introduce or deliver for introduction into intrastate commerce any such food manufactured, processed or packed by any such manufacturer, processor or packer unless such manufacturer, processor or packer holds a permit issued by the commissioner as provided by such regulations. Such regulations shall conform, so far as practicable, with those promulgated under Section 344 (a) of the federal act.

(b) The commissioner is authorized to suspend immediately, upon notice, any permit issued under authority of this section, if it is found that any of the conditions of the permit have been violated. The holder of a permit so suspended shall be privileged at any time to apply for the reinstatement of such permit, and the commissioner shall, immediately, after prompt hearing and an inspection of the factory or establishment, reinstate such permit, if it is found that adequate measures have been taken to comply with and maintain the conditions of the permit, as originally issued or as amended.

(c) Any officer or employee designated by the commissioner shall have access to any factory or establishment, the operator of which holds a permit from the commissioner, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the conditions of the permit are being complied with, and denial of access for such inspection shall be ground for suspension of the permit until such access is freely given by the operator.

(1949 Rev., S. 3941.)

History: Sec. 19-223 transferred to Sec. 21a-103 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-104. (Formerly Sec. 19-224). Tolerances for poisonous ingredients in food. (a) Any poisonous or deleterious substance added to any food, except where such substance is required in the production thereof or cannot be avoided by good manufacturing practice, shall be deemed to be unsafe for purposes of the application of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-101, but, when such substance is so required or cannot be so avoided, it shall be deemed to be unsafe for purposes of the application of said subdivision unless a tolerance for such substance has been prescribed under the federal act and the quantity of such substance in or on the food is within the tolerance so prescribed, or the substance has been exempted from the requirement of a tolerance under the provisions of the federal act.

(b) A food additive shall, with respect to any particular use or intended use of such additive, be deemed to be unsafe within the meaning of said subdivision, unless it and its use or intended use conform to the terms of an exemption as provided under the federal act, or a regulation issued under the federal act prescribing the conditions under which such additive may be safely used.

(c) Any poisonous or deleterious pesticide chemical, or any pesticide chemical which is not recognized by the commissioner and director, acting jointly, as safe for use, added to a raw agricultural commodity, shall be deemed unsafe within the meaning of said subdivision, unless a tolerance for such pesticide chemical in or on the raw agricultural commodity has been prescribed under the federal act and the quantity of such pesticide chemical in or on the raw agricultural commodity is within the tolerance so prescribed; or the pesticide chemical has been exempted from the requirement of a tolerance under the provisions of the federal act.

(d) A color additive shall with respect to any particular use, for which it is being used or intended to be used or represented as suitable, in or on food or drugs or cosmetics, be deemed unsafe for the purposes of the application of subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 21a-101, subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 21a-105, or subsection (e) of section 21a-111, as the case may be, unless there is in effect, and such color additive and such use are in conformity with, regulation as provided under the federal act, or such color additive and such use conform to the terms of an exception under the federal act.

(1949 Rev., S. 3942; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 4; P.A. 21-50, S. 3, 4.)

History: 1963 act deleted provisions re promulgation of regulations by commissioner and director to limit quantities used and added provision in Subsec. (a) re tolerances prescribed under the federal act and Subsecs. (b) through (e); Sec. 19-224 transferred to Sec. 21a-104 in 1983; P.A. 21-50 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 21a-104a. Sulfiting agents. (a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, association, limited liability company or corporation;

(2) “Sulfiting agent” means any sulfur dioxide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite;

(3) “Manufacturer” means any person, firm or corporation which produces or grows food and which packages such food for resale or distribution.

(b) No person who sells, offers for sale or distributes food, other than a manufacturer of food, shall add any sulfiting agent to any food sold, offered for sale or distributed in this state.

(c) Any retailer who displays, sells or offers for sale any bulk display of unpackaged food, including food displayed in any salad bar, which food contains any sulfiting agent, shall prominently display a sign which shall read as follows:

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS A SULFITING AGENT. SULFITES MAY CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION IN CERTAIN PERSONS, PARTICULARLY ASTHMATICS.

Each letter on such sign shall be not less than one-half inch in height and shall be of the same type, style and color, which color shall contrast clearly with the background of such sign.

(d) Any manufacturer who adds a sulfiting agent to any food or to any ingredient in any food, which sulfiting agent is present in the finished food product, shall include such sulfiting agent as an ingredient of the food in the ingredient statement of the label attached to such food product. Such ingredient statement shall indicate the name of the sulfiting agent and the function of such sulfiting agent.

(P.A. 86-322, S. 1; P.A. 95-79, S. 76, 189.)

History: P.A. 95-79 amended Subsec. (a) to redefine “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995.

Sec. 21a-105. (Formerly Sec. 19-225). Adulterated drugs and devices. A drug or device shall be deemed to be adulterated: (a) (1) If it consists, in whole or in part, of any filthy, putrid or decomposed substance; or (2) if it has been produced, prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health; or (3) if it is a drug and its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or (4) if it is a drug and it bears or contains, for the purposes of coloring only, a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 21a-104; or (5) if it is a drug which has been stored, kept or held under conditions contrary to the cautionary label statements on the package or contrary to the recommendations as stated within the official compendium; or (6) if it has not been manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices as defined in the federal Food and Drug Act Parts 211 and 820; (b) if it purports to be, or is represented as, a drug the name of which is recognized in an official compendium, and its strength differs from, or its quality or purity falls below, the standard set forth in such compendium; such determination as to strength, quality or purity to be made in accordance with the tests or methods of assay set forth in such compendium or prescribed by regulations promulgated under Section 351(b) of the federal act, provided no drug defined in an official compendium shall be deemed to be adulterated under this subsection because it differs from the standard of strength, quality or purity therefor set forth in such compendium, if its difference in strength, quality or purity from such standard is plainly stated on its label and provided, whenever a drug is recognized in both the United States Pharmacopoeia and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, it shall be subject to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia unless it is labeled and offered for sale as a homeopathic drug, in which case it shall be subject to the provisions of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and not to those of the United States Pharmacopoeia; (c) if it is not subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section and its strength differs from, or its purity or quality falls below, that which it purports or is represented to possess; (d) if it is a drug and any substance has been (1) mixed or packed therewith so as to reduce its quality or strength or (2) substituted wholly or in part therefor.

(1949 Rev., S. 3943; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 5; P.A. 74-41, S. 1, 2; P.A. 85-497, S. 1.)

History: 1963 act deleted reference in Subsec. (a)(4) to coal tar color not suitable for use in drugs as provided by regulations promulgated under section 354 of the federal act, substituting color additive unsafe within meaning of Sec. 19-224; P.A. 74-41 added provision ruling that drug is adulterated if stored, kept or held under conditions contrary to label statements or recommendations of the official compendium; Sec. 19-225 transferred to Sec. 21a-105 in 1983; P.A. 85-497 added Subsec. (a)(6) which provides that a drug or device shall be deemed adulterated if it has not been manufactured in accordance with practices defined by the federal Food and Drug Act.

Sec. 21a-106. (Formerly Sec. 19-226). Misbranded drugs and devices. A drug or device shall be deemed to be misbranded:

(a) If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular. Any statement on the label or labeling either directly or indirectly implying that the product is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal or state government shall be considered misleading, unless the agency concerned has approved the statement prior to its use, or unless such statement is authorized by Section 357(c) of the federal act;

(b) If in package form, unless it bears a label containing (1) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, except that the label of a prescription drug packaged after October 1, 1976, shall contain the name and place of business of the manufacturer of the final dosage form of the drug and, if different, the name and place of business of the packer or distributor; and (2) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure or numerical count, provided reasonable variations shall be permitted and exemptions as to small packages shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly, or by regulations issued under the federal act;

(c) If any information or other word or statement, 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;

(d) If it is for use by man and contains any quantity of the narcotic or hypnotic substance alpha-eucaine, beta-eucaine, bromal, cannabis, carbromal, chloral, coca, cocaine, codeine, heroin, marijuana, morphine, opium, paraldehyde, peyote or sulphonmethane, or any chemical derivative of any such substance, which derivative has been designated as habit-forming by regulations promulgated under Section 352(d) of the federal act; unless its label bears the name and quantity or proportion of such substance or derivative and in juxtaposition therewith the statement “Warning–may be habit-forming”;

(e) (1) If it is a drug, unless (A) its label bears, to the exclusion of any other nonproprietary name, except the applicable systematic chemical name or the chemical formula, (i) the established name, as defined in subdivision (2) of this subsection, of the drug, if such there be, and (ii), in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the established name and quantity of each active ingredient, including the kind and quantity or proportion of any alcohol, and also including, whether active or not, the established name and quantity or proportion of any bromides, ether, chloroform, acetanilid, acetophenetidin, amidopyrine, antipyrine, atropine, hyoscine, hyoscyamine, arsenic, digitalis, digitalis glucosides, mercury, ouabain, strophanthin, strychnine, thyroid, or any derivative or preparation of any such substances, contained therein: Provided the requirement for stating the quantity of the active ingredients, other than those specifically named in this paragraph, shall apply only to prescription drugs packaged prior to July 1, 1980, and provided further, the requirement for stating the quantity or proportion of the active ingredients, other than those specifically named in this paragraph, shall apply to all drugs packaged on or after July 1, 1980, except nonprescription drugs which are also cosmetics; and (B) if it is a prescription drug, unless the established name of such drug or ingredient, as the case may be, on such label (and on any labeling on which a name for such drug or ingredient is used) is printed prominently and in type at least half as large as that used thereon for any proprietary name or designation for such drug or ingredient. To the extent that compliance with the requirements of clause (A) (ii) or clause (B) is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner and director, acting jointly, or by regulations issued under the federal act. (2) As used in this subsection (e), the term, “established name”, with respect to a drug or ingredient thereof, means (A) the applicable official name designated pursuant to Section 358 of the federal act, or (B), if there is no such name and such drug, or such ingredient, is an article recognized in an official compendium, then the official title thereof in such compendium, or (C) if neither clause (A) nor clause (B) applies, then the common or usual name, if any, of such ingredient. Where clause (B) applies to an article recognized in the United States Pharmacopoeia and in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia under different official titles, the official title used in the United States Pharmacopoeia shall apply unless it is labeled and offered for sale as a homeopathic drug, in which case the official title used in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia shall apply;

(f) Unless its labeling bears (1) adequate directions for use and (2) such adequate warnings against use in those pathological conditions or by children where its use may be dangerous to health, or against unsafe dosage or methods or duration of administration or application, in such manner and form as are necessary for the protection of users; provided, when any requirement of subdivision (1) of this subsection, as applied to any drug or device, is not necessary for the protection of the public health, the commissioner and director, acting jointly, shall promulgate regulations exempting such drug or device from such requirement; provided further, articles exempted under regulations issued under Section 352(f) of the federal act shall also be exempt from the requirements of this subsection;

(g) If it purports to be a drug the name of which is recognized in an official compendium, unless it is packaged and labeled as prescribed therein; provided the method of packing may be modified with the consent of the commissioner and director, acting jointly, and provided whenever a drug is recognized in both the United States Pharmacopoeia and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, it shall be subject to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia with respect to packaging and labeling unless it is labeled and offered for sale as a homeopathic drug, in which case it shall be subject to the provisions of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, and not to those of the United States Pharmacopoeia; provided further, in the event of inconsistency between the requirements of this subsection and those of subsection (e) as to the name by which the drug or its ingredients shall be designated, the requirements of subsection (e) shall prevail;

(h) If it has been found by the commissioner to be a drug liable to deterioration, unless it is packaged in such form and manner, and its label bears a statement of such precautions, as the commissioner and director, acting jointly, by regulations, require as necessary for the protection of public health; provided no such regulations shall be established for any drug recognized in an official compendium until the commissioner has informed the appropriate body charged with the revision of such compendium of the need for such packaging or labeling requirements and such body has failed within a reasonable time to prescribe such requirements;

(i) (1) If it is a drug and its container is so made, formed or filled as to be misleading or (2) if it is an imitation of another drug or (3) if it is offered for sale under the name of another drug;

(j) If it is dangerous to health when used in the dosage, or with the frequency or duration, prescribed, recommended or suggested in the labeling thereof;

(k) If it is a legend drug, as defined in subdivision (16) of section 20-571, that is not administered, dispensed, prescribed or otherwise possessed or distributed in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations;

(l) If it is a color additive, the intended use of which in or on drugs is for the purpose of coloring only, unless its packaging and labeling are in conformity with such packaging and labeling requirements contained in regulations issued under the federal act;

(m) In the case of any prescription drug distributed or offered for sale in any state, unless the manufacturer, packer or distributor thereof includes in all advertisements and other descriptive printed matter issued or caused to be issued by the manufacturer, packer or distributor with respect to that drug a true statement of (1) the established name, as defined in subsection (e) (2) of this section, printed prominently and in type at least half as large as that used for any trade or brand name thereof, (2) the formula showing quantitatively each ingredient of such drug to the extent required for labels under subsection (e) of this section, and (3) such other information in brief summary relating to side effects, contraindications and effectiveness as required in regulations issued under the federal act unless it is a drug which has been exempted from the labeling provisions of the federal act, as effective on April 26, 1974, or is permitted to be sold without a prescription under the federal act, as effective on said date;

(n) If it is a drug and was manufactured, prepared, propagated, compounded or processed in an establishment in this state not duly registered under section 21a-70;

(o) If it is, or purports to be, or is represented as a drug composed wholly or partly of any kind of penicillin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, bacitracin or any other antibiotic drug, or any derivative thereof, unless (1) it is from a batch with respect to which a certificate or release has been issued pursuant to Section 357 of the federal act, and (2) such certificate or release is in effect with respect to such drug; provided that this subsection shall not apply to any drug or class of drugs exempted by regulations promulgated under Section 357 (c) or (d) of the federal act. For the purpose of this subsection, “antibiotic drug” means any drug intended for use by man containing any quantity of any chemical substance which is produced by a microorganism and which has the capacity to inhibit or destroy microorganisms in dilute solution, and the chemically synthesized equivalent of any such substance.

(1949 Rev., S. 3944; 1951, S. 2095d; 1953, S. 2096d; 1957, P.A. 104; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 6; P.A. 74-72, S. 2, 3; P.A. 76-129; P.A. 79-116, S. 1; P.A. 91-164, S. 2; P.A. 95-264, S. 55; P.A. 00-182, S. 2; P.A. 21-192, S. 7.)

History: 1963 act, in Subsecs. (a) and (b), added references to statement authorized by section 357(c) of federal act; in Subsec. (e), changed technical language, added references to antipyrine and thyroid and proviso in Subdiv. (1)(A)(ii), deleted provision for exemptions to be established by regulations promulgated by commissioner and director and added Subdivs. (1)(B) and (2); in Subsec. (f), added proviso re articles exempt under federal regulations; in Subsec. (g) added that Subsec. (e) shall prevail in case of inconsistency and added Subsecs. (l) through (o); P.A. 74-72 exempted from consideration as misbranded, drugs “exempted from the labeling provisions of the federal act ... or permitted to be sold without a prescription under the federal act, as effective on April 26, 1974” in Subsec. (m); P.A. 76-129 added exception re prescription drugs and deleted reference to Subdiv. (2) in Subsec. (b); P.A. 79-116 amended proviso in Subsec. (e)(1) to require statement of active ingredients only for prescription drugs “packaged before July 1, 1980” and to require statement of quantity or proportion of active ingredients for all drugs packaged after that date except for nonprescription drugs which are also cosmetics; Sec. 19-226 transferred to Sec. 21a-106 in 1983; P.A. 91-164 amended Subsec. (k) to include reference to Sec. 20-184d; P.A. 95-264 amended Subsec. (k) to include electronic transmission as a possible means of prescription and deleted provisions re refills of prescriptions for substances covered by the subsection; P.A. 00-182 replaced language in Subsec. (k) re a drug sold at retail containing certain substances with language re a legend drug; P.A. 21-192 amended Subsec. (k) by substituting reference to Sec. 20-571(16) for reference to Sec. 20-571(14), effective July 13, 2021.

Annotation to former section 19-226:

Cited. 29 CS 333.

Sec. 21a-107. Transferred to Chapter 400j, Part III, Sec. 20-618.

Sec. 21a-108. (Formerly Sec. 19-227). Illegal obtaining or supplying of drugs. Forged labels. (1) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain a drug covered by subsection (k) of section 21a-106 or procure or attempt to procure the administration of such drug: (a) By fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or subterfuge; or (b) by the forgery or alteration of a prescription or of any written order; or (c) by the concealment of a material fact; or (d) by the use of a false statement in any prescription, order or report required by this chapter.

(2) No person shall manufacture, possess, have under his control, sell, prescribe, administer, dispense or compound any drug covered by said subsection, except as authorized in this chapter.

(3) No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining a drug covered by said subsection, falsely assume the title of, or represent himself to be, a manufacturer, wholesaler, apothecary, physician, dentist, veterinarian or other authorized person.

(4) No person shall make or utter any false or forged prescription or false or forged written order.

(5) No person shall affix any false or forged label to a package or receptacle containing any drug covered by said subsection.

(1955, S. 2097d; 1957, P.A. 105.)

History: Sec. 19-227 transferred to Sec. 21a-108 in 1983.

Annotations to former section 19-227:

Cited. 28 CS 21; 29 CS 333.

Sec. 21a-109. (Formerly Sec. 19-228). Drugs dispensed on prescription. A drug dispensed on a written or oral prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug, except a drug dispensed in the course of the conduct of a business of dispensing drugs pursuant to diagnosis by mail, shall, if such drug bears a label containing the name and place of business of the dispenser, the serial number and date of filling or refilling of such prescription, the name of such practitioner licensed by law to administer such drugs and the name of the patient, be exempt from the requirements of section 21a-106, except that no prescription for a legend drug or any derivative of any legend drug, shall be refilled except upon the order of the practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug.

(1949 Rev., S. 3945; 1953, S. 2098d; 1971, P.A. 106; P.A. 82-419, S. 36, 47.)

History: 1971 act required name of patient on drug label for exemption to requirements of Sec. 19-226 to apply; P.A. 82-419 amended section to provide for showing date of filling or refilling prescriptions on labels and to delete references to named substances and insert term “legend drug” in their place; Sec. 19-228 transferred to Sec. 21a-109 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-110. (Formerly Sec. 19-229). New drugs. (a) No person shall sell, deliver, offer for sale, hold for sale or give away any new drug unless (1) an application with respect thereto has been approved under Section 355 of the federal act or (2), when not subject to the federal act, unless such drug has been tested and has been found to be safe for use and effective in use under the conditions prescribed, recommended or suggested in the labeling thereof, and prior to selling or offering for sale such drug, there has been filed with the commissioner an application setting forth (A) full reports of investigations which have been made to show whether or not such drug is safe for use and whether such drug is effective in use; (B) a full list of the articles used as components of such drug; (C) a full statement of the composition of such drug; (D) a full description of the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for, the manufacture, processing and packing of such drug; (E) such samples of such drug and of the articles used as components thereof as the commissioner may require; and (F) specimens of the labeling proposed to be used for such drug.

(b) An application provided for in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) shall become effective on the one hundred eightieth day after the filing thereof, except that, if the commissioner finds, after due notice to the applicant and giving him an opportunity for a hearing, that the drug is not safe or not effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended or suggested in the proposed labeling thereof, he shall, prior to the effective date of the application, issue an order refusing to permit the application to become effective.

(c) This section shall not apply: (1) To a drug intended solely for investigational use by experts qualified by scientific training and experience to investigate the safety and effectiveness of drugs, provided the drug shall be plainly labeled in compliance with regulations issued under Section 355 (i) or 357 (d) of the federal act; or (2) to a drug sold in this state at any time prior to the enactment of this chapter or introduced into interstate commerce at any time prior to the enactment of the federal act; or (3) to any drug which is licensed under Title 42 USC 262; or (4) to any drug subject to subsection (o) of section 21a-106.

(d) An order refusing to permit an application under this section to become effective may be revoked by the commissioner.

(1949 Rev., S. 3946; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 7.)

History: 1963 act substituted application which has been approved for one which has become effective in Subsec. (a)(1), changed technical language, added provisions re effectiveness of drugs, lengthened time for application becoming effective from sixtieth to one-hundred-eightieth day after filing, changed provision re label in Subsec. (c)(1), requiring compliance with federal regulations and added Subsec. (c)(4); Sec. 19-229 transferred to Sec. 21a-110 in 1983.

Annotation to former section 19-229:

Whether a drug is a “new drug” or not is a justiciable issue within the jurisdiction of the court. 15 CS 11.

Sec. 21a-111. (Formerly Sec. 19-230). Adulterated cosmetics. A cosmetic shall be deemed to be adulterated: (a) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to users under the conditions of use prescribed in the labeling thereof, or under such conditions of use as are customary or usual; provided this provision shall not apply to coal-tar hair dye, the label of which bears the following legend conspicuously displayed thereon: “Caution–This product contains ingredients which may cause skin irritation on certain individuals and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or eyebrows; to do so may cause blindness”, and the labeling of which bears adequate directions for such preliminary testing, and provided, for the purposes of this subsection and subsection (e), the term “hair-dye” shall not include eyelash dyes or eyebrow dyes; (b) if it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid or decomposed substance; (c) if it has been produced, prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health; (d) if its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or (e) if it is not a hair-dye and it bears or contains a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 21a-104.

(1949 Rev., S. 3947; 1963, P.A. 359, S. 8.)

History: 1963 act deleted provision in Subsec. (e) re regulations promulgated under section 364 of the federal act, substituting reference to Sec. 19-224; Sec. 19-230 transferred to Sec. 21a-111 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-112. (Formerly Sec. 19-231). Misbranded cosmetics. A cosmetic shall be deemed to be misbranded: (a) If its labeling is false or misleading in any particular. Any statement on the label or labeling of such cosmetic, either directly or indirectly implying that the product is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal or state government, shall be considered misleading, unless such agency has approved such statement prior to such use; (b) 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 quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure or numerical count, provided, under subdivision (2) of this subsection, reasonable variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages shall be established, by regulations prescribed by the commissioner and director, acting jointly; (c) if any information or other word or statement, 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; or (d) if its container is so made, formed or filled as to be misleading.

(1949 Rev., S. 3948; 1951, S. 2099d.)

History: Sec. 19-231 transferred to Sec. 21a-112 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-113. (Formerly Sec. 19-232). False advertisement of food, drugs, devices and cosmetics. An advertisement of a food, drug, device or cosmetic shall be deemed to be false, if it is false or misleading in any particular. Any statement either directly or indirectly implying that the product is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the federal or state government shall be considered misleading, unless the agency concerned has approved the statement prior to its use.

(1949 Rev., S. 3949; 1951, S. 2100d.)

History: Sec. 19-232 transferred to Sec. 21a-113 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-114. (Formerly Sec. 19-233). When advertisement of drugs and devices deemed to be false. The advertisement of a drug or device representing it to have any effect in albuminuria, appendicitis, arteriosclerosis, blood poison, bone disease, Bright's disease, cancer, carbuncles, cholecystitis, diabetes, diphtheria, dropsy, erysipelas, gallstones, heart and vascular diseases, high blood pressure, mastoiditis, measles, meningitis, mumps, nephritis, otitis media, paralysis, pneumonia, poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis), prostate gland disorders, pyelitis, scarlet fever, sexual impotence, sinus infection, smallpox, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, uremia or sexually transmitted disease, shall also be deemed to be false; except that no advertisement not in violation of section 21a-113 shall be deemed to be false under this section if it is disseminated only to members of the medical, dental or veterinary profession, or appears only in the scientific periodicals of these professions, or is disseminated only for the purpose of public health education by persons not commercially interested, directly or indirectly, in the sale of such drugs or devices; provided, whenever the commissioner and director, acting jointly, agree that an advance in medical science has made any type of self-medication safe as to any of the diseases named above, the commissioner and director, acting jointly, shall, by regulation, authorize the advertisement of drugs having curative or therapeutic effect for such disease, subject to such conditions and restrictions as the commissioner and director, acting jointly, deem necessary in the interests of public health; and provided this section shall not be construed as indicating that self-medication for diseases other than those named herein is safe or efficacious.

(1949 Rev., S. 3950; P.A. 18-168, S. 28.)

History: Sec. 19-233 transferred to Sec. 21a-114 in 1983; P.A. 18-168 replaced “venereal disease” with “sexually transmitted disease”.

Sec. 21a-115. (Formerly Sec. 19-234). Regulations and hearings. Exemption. (a) The authority to promulgate regulations for the efficient enforcement of this chapter is vested in the commissioner and director, acting jointly. The provisions of such regulations shall not prohibit the sale of food at a noncommercial function such as an educational, religious, political or charitable organization's bake sale or potluck supper provided the seller maintains such food under the temperature, pH level and water activity level conditions which will inhibit the rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms. For the purposes of this section, a “noncommercial function” means a function where food is sold by a person not regularly engaged in the business of selling such food.

(b) The purpose of this chapter being to promote uniformity of state legislation with the federal act, the commissioner and director, acting jointly, are authorized (1) to adopt, so far as applicable, the regulations from time to time promulgated under the federal act, (2) to make the regulations promulgated under this chapter conform, so far as practicable, with those promulgated under the federal act and (3) to adopt regulations banning the sale or introduction into intrastate commerce of any adulterated food, drug, device or cosmetic, which adversely affects the health or safety of the public.

(c) Hearings authorized or required by this chapter shall be conducted by the commissioner and director, acting jointly, or their authorized representative designated for the purpose.

(d) The commissioner and director, acting jointly, shall hold a public hearing upon a proposal to promulgate any new or amended regulation under this chapter, which requires or prohibits any practice in intrastate commerce; except in the case of a proposal to adopt an applicable regulation promulgated under the federal act. The commissioner shall give appropriate notice of such hearing. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing to be held not fewer than ten days after the date of such notice, except in the case of an emergency found by the commissioner. No regulation promulgated under this chapter, by order issued after such hearing, shall take effect prior to the thirtieth day after the date of such order, except in the case of an emergency found by the commissioner.

(e) In the promulgation of regulations under the provisions of this section applicable to prescribing practitioners, care-giving institutions, and correctional and juvenile training institutions, as defined in subdivision (7) of section 20-571, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall act in place of the director. Existing regulations shall continue in effect unless superseded by action of said commissioner pursuant to this subsection.

(1949 Rev., S. 3951; 1969, P.A. 593, S. 11; P.A. 73-681, S. 25, 29; P.A. 74-338, S. 20, 94; P.A. 86-322, S. 3; P.A. 95-44, S. 1; 95-264, S. 56; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 21-192, S. 8.)

History: 1969 act added Subsec. (e) re regulation power of commissioner of health re practitioners, care-giving institutions and correctional and juvenile training institutions; P.A. 73-681 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of consumer protection in Subsec. (e); P.A. 74-338 replaced “commissioners” with “commissioner” in Subsec. (e); Sec. 19-234 transferred to Sec. 21a-115 in 1983; P.A. 86-322 added Subsec. (b)(3) authorizing adoption of regulations banning the sale or introduction into intrastate commerce of adulterated foods, drugs, etc.; P.A. 95-44 prohibited the regulations from prohibiting the sale of food at noncommercial functions and defined “noncommercial function” in Subsec. (a); P.A. 95-264 made technical change in Subsec. (e); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 21-192 amended Subsec. (e) by substituting reference to Sec. 20-571(7) for reference to Sec. 20-571(6), effective July 13, 2021.

Sec. 21a-116. (Formerly Sec. 19-235). Examinations and investigations. (a) The commissioner shall cause the investigation and examination of food, drugs, devices and cosmetics subject to this chapter. The commissioner or his authorized representative shall have the right (1) to take a sample or specimen of any such article, for examination under this chapter, upon tendering the market price therefor to the person having such article in custody, and (2) to enter any place or establishment within this state, at reasonable times, for the purpose of taking a sample or specimen of such article, for such examination. Samples or specimens taken under the provisions of this subsection shall be submitted to the agricultural experiment station or to the laboratory services section of the Department of Public Health for examination.

(b) When a sample or specimen of any such article is taken for examination under this chapter, the commissioner shall, upon request, provide a part thereof for examination by any person named on the label of such article or the owner thereof, or his attorney or agent; except that the commissioner is authorized, by regulations, to make such reasonable exceptions from, and to impose such reasonable terms and conditions relating to, the operation of this subsection as he finds necessary for the proper administration of the provisions of this chapter.

(c) For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, pertinent records of any administrative agency of the state government shall be open to inspection by the commissioner or his authorized representative.

(1949 Rev., S. 3952; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 03-278, S. 77.)

History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-235 transferred to Sec. 21a-116 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 9, 2003.

Cited. 207 C. 698.

Sec. 21a-117. (Formerly Sec. 19-236). Records of intrastate shipment. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, carriers engaged in intrastate commerce, and persons receiving food, drugs, devices or cosmetics in intrastate commerce or holding such articles so received, shall, upon the request of an authorized representative of the commissioner, permit such representative, at reasonable times, to have access to and to copy all records showing the movement in intrastate commerce of any food, drug, device or cosmetic, or the holding thereof during or after such movement, and the quantity, shipper and consignee thereof; and no such carrier or person shall fail to permit such access to, and the copying of, any such records so requested when such request is accompanied by a statement in writing specifying the nature or kind of food, drug, device or cosmetic to which such request relates; provided evidence obtained under this section shall not be used in a criminal prosecution of the person from whom obtained and provided carriers shall not be subject to the other provisions of this chapter by reason of their receipt, carriage, holding or delivery of food, drugs, devices or cosmetics in the usual course of business as carriers.

(1949 Rev., S. 3953.)

History: Sec. 19-236 transferred to Sec. 21a-117 in 1983.

Cited. 207 C. 698.

Sec. 21a-118. (Formerly Sec. 19-237). Inspections. Exceptions. Right to hearing. Reinspection. Civil penalty, suspension or revocation of license or registration. (a) For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of chapter 417, chapter 419b, except with regard to permittees holding both a restaurant and a bakery permit and this chapter, the commissioner, or his authorized representative, is authorized (1) to enter, at reasonable times, any factory, warehouse or establishment subject to this chapter, or to enter any vehicle being used to transport or hold food, drugs, devices or cosmetics in intrastate commerce, and (2) to inspect, at reasonable times, such factory, warehouse, establishment or vehicle and all pertinent equipment, finished and unfinished materials, containers, labeling and advertisements, records, files and papers therein.

(b) If an inspection reveals a violation of any provision of this chapter concerning a food factory, food warehouse or food establishment, the commissioner shall notify the owner of such factory, warehouse or establishment of any such violation and his right to a hearing under this section by certified mail within fifteen days of the date of such original inspection. Such owner may contest the violations cited in such notice by requesting a hearing in writing by certified mail within fifteen days of the date of receipt of such notice. The commissioner shall grant such a request and conduct a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The cost of all reinspections necessary to determine compliance with any such provision shall be forty dollars an hour and shall be charged to such owner, except that if the first reinspection following the original inspection indicates compliance with such provision no charge shall be made.

(c) If an inspection reveals a violation of any provision of chapter 417, chapter 419b or this chapter concerning any food, drug, cosmetic or device by any establishment licensed or registered in accordance with the provisions of said chapters, the commissioner may impose a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars per separate violation, and suspend or revoke the license or registration of such establishment after notice and a hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(1949 Rev., S. 3954; P.A. 80-214; P.A. 85-497, S. 2; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 42, 117; P.A. 18-141, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 80-214 added Subsec. (b) re course of action following discovery of violation; Sec. 19-237 transferred to Sec. 21a-118 in 1983; P.A. 85-497 amended Subsec. (a) by authorizing the commissioner of consumer protection to carry out the provisions of this section in the enforcement of the provisions of chapter 417, and by authorizing the commissioner to inspect records, files and papers, and added Subsec. (c), providing for the suspension or revocation of any establishment licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 417 which violates any provision of said chapter; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 amended Subsec. (b) to establish a $40 per hour charge for reinspection; P.A. 18-141 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to Ch. 419b, and adding exception re permittees holding both a restaurant and bakery permit, amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to Ch. 419b, adding references to food and cosmetic, adding references to registered establishment, adding provision re civil penalty, and made technical changes, effective June 11, 2018.

Cited. 207 C. 698.

Sec. 21a-119. (Formerly Sec. 19-238). Publicity. (a) The commissioner may cause to be published, from time to time, reports summarizing all judgments, decrees and court orders which have been rendered under this chapter, including the nature of the charge and the disposition thereof.

(b) The commissioner may also cause to be disseminated such information regarding food, drugs, devices or cosmetics as the commissioner deems necessary in the interest of public health and the protection of the consumer against fraud. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the commissioner and director from collecting, reporting and illustrating the results of their examinations and investigations under this chapter.

(1949 Rev., S. 3955.)

History: Sec. 19-238 transferred to Sec. 21a-119 in 1983.

Sec. 21a-120. (Formerly Sec. 19-239). Interpretation. This chapter and the regulations promulgated hereunder shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to enact state legislation uniform with the federal act.

(1949 Rev., S. 3956.)

History: Sec. 19-239 transferred to Sec. 21a-120 in 1983.

Annotation to former section 19-239:

Connecticut Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act must be interpreted to be uniform with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. 31 CS 242.

Secs. 21a-121 to 21a-125. Reserved for future use.