
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: 21USC676]

 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
                       CHAPTER 12--MEAT INSPECTION
 
                   SUBCHAPTER IV--AUXILIARY PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 676. Violations


(a) Misdemeanors; felonies: intent to defraud and distribution of 
        adulterated articles; good faith

    Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any provision of this 
chapter for which no other criminal penalty is provided by this chapter 
shall upon conviction be subject to imprisonment for not more than one 
year, or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both such imprisonment and 
fine; but if such violation involves intent to defraud, or any 
distribution or attempted distribution of an article that is adulterated 
(except as defined in section 601(m)(8) of this title), such person, 
firm, or corporation shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than 
three years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both: Provided, That 
no person, firm, or corporation, shall be subject to penalties under 
this section for receiving for transportation any article or animal in 
violation of this chapter if such receipt was made in good faith, unless 
such person, firm, or corporation refuses to furnish on request of a 
representative of the Secretary the name and address of the person from 
whom he received such article or animal, and copies of all documents, if 
any there be, pertaining to the delivery of the article or animal to 
him.

(b) Minor violations; written notice of warning of criminal and civil 
        proceedings

    Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the 
Secretary to report for prosecution or for the institution of libel or 
injunction proceedings, minor violations of this chapter whenever he 
believes that the public interest will be adequately served by a 
suitable written notice of warning.

(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title IV, Sec. 406, as added Pub. L. 90-201, 
Sec. 16, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 599; amended Pub. L. 99-641, title IV, 
Sec. 403(c), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570.)


                               Amendments

    1986--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-641, Sec. 403(c)(1), temporarily 
inserted provisions which related to factors required to be considered 
by Secretary in determining whether public interest is served by written 
notice of warning. See Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment 
note below.
    Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99-641, Sec. 403(c)(2), temporarily added 
subsec. (c). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment note 
below.


            Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment

    Section 403(c) of Pub. L. 99-641 provided that the amendment made by 
that section is effective only during the 6-year period beginning Nov. 
10, 1986.


         Construction and Effect of Amendments by Pub. L. 99-641

    For provisions relating to construction and effect of temporary 
amendments by section 403 of Pub. L. 99-641, see sections 403(e) and 404 
of Pub. L. 99-641, set out as notes entitled ``Inspection Services for 
Establishments Not Participating in Total Plant Quality-Control 
Program'' and ``Savings Provision'', respectively, under section 606 of 
this title.
