§54 False advertisements; penalties

Summary

Makes false advertising a crime when the product could be harmful under the ad’s directions or normal use, or when the ad is meant to defraud or mislead. A person, partnership, or corporation convicted for that offense can be fined up to $5,000, jailed up to six months, or both. If the convicted party commits another such offense after a first conviction, the fine can be up to $10,000, jail up to one year, or both. Meats and meat products inspected, marked, and labeled under the Meat Inspection Act are legally treated as not harmful to health when they leave official establishments. Publishers, radio stations, and other media are not guilty just for running a false ad unless they refuse, when the Commission asks, to give the U.S. name and mailing address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, seller, or ad agency that caused the ad to be placed. An advertising agency is not guilty unless it likewise refuses to give the Commission the U.S. name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor, or seller who caused it to place the ad.