# Health - General (GHG)

## Title 21. Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

### Subtitle 2. Maryland Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

#### Section 21-207

(a) In addition to any other ground that may be applicable under this title, a food is considered to be adulterated for purposes of this subtitle if the standards in this section or in Sec. 21-208 or Sec. 21-209 of this subtitle apply.

(b) A food is adulterated if:

  (1) It contains any poisonous or otherwise deleterious substance that, in the quantity present, reasonably would be expected to make it injurious to health;

  (2) It contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance:

    (i) That is not a food or color additive; and

    (ii) The particular use of which has not been found safe as provided under Sec. 21-239 of this subtitle;

  (3) It is or contains any food additive or color additive the particular use of which has not been found safe as provided under Sec. 21-239 of this subtitle;

  (4) Any part of it is a diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance;

  (5) It was produced, prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions that reasonably would be expected to have:

    (i) Contaminated it with filth; or

    (ii) Caused it to be diseased, unwholesome, or injurious to health;

  (6) Any part of its container is composed of any poisonous or otherwise deleterious substance that reasonably would be expected to have caused the food to be injurious to health;

  (7) It has been subjected intentionally to radiation, unless the use of the radiation conforms to that allowed by a rule or regulation under the federal act or under Sec. 21-239 of this subtitle;

  (8) At any time after its manufacturing, processing, or packaging, it was refrozen after having been permitted to thaw from a prior freezing; or

  (9) It otherwise is unfit as food for human beings.

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Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)
