---
kind: "section"
citation: "21 C.F.R. § 501.18"
title: "21"
number: "501.18"
heading: "Misbranding of animal food."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/21/501.18"
---

# §501.18. Misbranding of animal food.

- (a) Among representations in the labeling of a food which render such food misbranded is a false or misleading representation with respect to another food or a drug, device, or cosmetic.
- (b) The labeling of a food which contains two or more ingredients may be misleading by reason (among other reasons) of the designation of such food in such labeling by a name which includes or suggests the name of one or more but not all such ingredients, even though the names of all such ingredients are stated elsewhere in the labeling.
- (c) Among representations in the labeling of a food which render such food misbranded is any representation that expresses or implies a geographical origin of the food or any ingredient of the food except when such representation is either:
  - (1) **A truthful representation of geographical origin.**
  - (2) A trademark or trade name provided that as applied to the article in question its use is not deceptively misdescriptive. A trademark or trade name comprised in whole or in part of geographical words shall not be considered deceptively misdescriptive if it:
    - (i) Has been so long and exclusively used by a manufacturer or distributor that it is generally understood by the consumer to mean the product of a particular manufacturer or distributor; or
    - (ii) Is so arbitrary or fanciful that it is not generally understood by the consumer to suggest geographic origin.
  - (3) **A part of the name required by applicable Federal law or regulation.**
  - (4) A name whose market significance is generally understood by the consumer to connote a particular class, kind, type, or style of food rather than to indicate geographical origin.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1453, 1454, 1455; 21 U.S.C. 321, 331, 342, 343, 348, 371.

### Source

Source: 41 FR 38619, Sept. 10, 1976, unless otherwise noted.