A. The Commissioner is authorized at all times to seize and take possession of any and all food and dairy products, substitutes, or imitations kept for sale, exposed for sale, or held in possession or under the control of any person that in the opinion of the Commissioner are believed to be in violation of any provision of law.
B. When the Commissioner seizes any goods pursuant to subsection A, he may take a sample from the goods for the purpose of analysis and shall leave the remainder in the possession of the person from whom they were seized, subject to the determined disposition.
C. Any person making a seizure under this section shall forward any sample taken pursuant to subsection B that in the determination of the Commissioner requires laboratory analysis to the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services of the Department of General Services (the Division). The Division shall turn over the sample to a qualified analyst who shall analyze the sample and certify the results of the analysis. Where the qualified analyst is an employee of the Division, the analyst's certificate shall be prima facie evidence of the facts certified to in any appropriate court where the sample may be offered in evidence.
Code 1950, §§ 3-329 to 3-331; 1966, c. 702, §§ 3.1-408 to 3.1-410; 1978, c. 702; 2008, c. 860; 2015, c. 91.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
§ 3.2-5100. Duties of Commissioner
§ 3.2-5101. Board authorized to adopt regulations; exception
§ 3.2-5103. Standards of variability permissible to any article of food
§ 3.2-5104. Chemical work incident to execution of laws
§ 3.2-5105. Definition of term "food."
§ 3.2-5106. Sanitary conditions of food establishments
§ 3.2-5107. Plastering and painting sidewalls and ceilings; interior woodwork; floors
§ 3.2-5108. Sleeping arrangements
§ 3.2-5109. Washrooms and toilets
§ 3.2-5110. Daily cleaning of instruments and machinery
§ 3.2-5111. Food protected from flies, dust, and dirt
§ 3.2-5112. Clothing of employees
§ 3.2-5113. Employees with contagious or infectious disease
§ 3.2-5116. Metal beverage containers with detachable metal pull tabs
§ 3.2-5117. Penalty for violation; misdemeanor
§ 3.2-5118. Sterilization of bottles and containers
§ 3.2-5119. Transportation or storage under unsanitary conditions; penalty
§ 3.2-5124. Labeling as kosher and halal; penalty
§ 3.2-5125. Poisonous or deleterious substance added to food
§ 3.2-5126. Prohibited acts; exceptions; Commissioner may seek injunction; penalties
§ 3.2-5127. Removal of certain labels from meat packaging prohibited; penalty
§ 3.2-5129. Definition of term "food."
§ 3.2-5130. Inspections required to operate food establishment
§ 3.2-5131. Right to enter and take samples
§ 3.2-5132. Notice and warning to place premises in sanitary condition
§ 3.2-5133. Failure to obey such notice and warning a misdemeanor
§ 3.2-5134. Condemnation of unsafe food by Commissioner
§ 3.2-5135. Authority to seize food and dairy products; analysis; disposition of remainder
§ 3.2-5136. Purchase of samples for analysis
§ 3.2-5137. Proceeding for forfeiture
§ 3.2-5138. Judgment as to goods seized; procedure before an appropriate court; appeal
§ 3.2-5139. Disposition of proceeds from sale of such goods
§ 3.2-5140. Attorney for the Commonwealth to render legal assistance
§ 3.2-5141. General duty of attorneys for the Commonwealth; compensation
§ 3.2-5142. Punishment for hindering Commissioner
§ 3.2-5143. Enforcement against companies
§ 3.2-5144. Exemption from civil and criminal liability in certain cases
§ 3.2-5145. Punishment for failure to comply with requirements of certain chapters
§ 3.2-5145.2. Industrial hemp extract; approved food
§ 3.2-5145.2:1. Sellers of industrial hemp extract
§ 3.2-5145.3. Manufacturer of industrial hemp extract or food containing an industrial hemp extract