
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 21USC602]

 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
                       CHAPTER 12--MEAT INSPECTION
 
   SUBCHAPTER I--INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; ADULTERATION AND MISBRANDING
 
Sec. 602. Congressional statement of findings

    Meat and meat food products are an important source of the Nation's 
total supply of food. They are consumed throughout the Nation and the 
major portion thereof moves in interstate or foreign commerce. It is 
essential in the public interest that the health and welfare of 
consumers be protected by assuring that meat and meat food products 
distributed to them are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly marked, 
labeled, and packaged. Unwholesome, adulterated, or misbranded meat or 
meat food products impair the effective regulation of meat and meat food 
products in interstate or foreign commerce, are injurious to the public 
welfare, destroy markets for wholesome, not adulterated, and properly 
labeled and packaged meat and meat food products, and result in sundry 
losses to livestock producers and processors of meat and meat food 
products, as well as injury to consumers. The unwholesome, adulterated, 
mislabeled, or deceptively packaged articles can be sold at lower prices 
and compete unfairly with the wholesome, not adulterated, and properly 
labeled and packaged articles, to the detriment of consumers and the 
public generally. It is hereby found that all articles and animals which 
are regulated under this chapter are either in interstate or foreign 
commerce or substantially affect such commerce, and that regulation by 
the Secretary and cooperation by the States and other jurisdictions as 
contemplated by this chapter are appropriate to prevent and eliminate 
burdens upon such commerce, to effectively regulate such commerce, and 
to protect the health and welfare of consumers.

(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, Sec. 2, as added Pub. L. 90-201, 
Sec. 2, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 587.)
