Title 21 — Food and DrugsRelease 119-73
§351 Adulterated drugs and devices
Title 21 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - DRUGS AND DEVICES › Part Part A— - Drugs and Devices › § 351
Summary
A drug or device is treated as adulterated when it is unsafe, contaminated, or not made or handled in the right way. That includes products that contain filthy, rotten, or decomposed matter; ones made, packed, or stored in dirty or unsafe conditions; drugs whose manufacturing methods, facilities, or controls do not follow current good manufacturing practice so they might not be safe or have the right identity, strength, quality, or purity; and compounded PET (positron emission tomography) drugs not made under PET compounding rules and the United States Pharmacopoeia monographs. It also covers products in containers that can poison the contents, drugs or devices using unsafe color additives, new animal drugs (or animal feed with those drugs) that are unsafe, drugs mixed or substituted to reduce quality or strength, or drugs and devices that claim to meet official performance standards but do not. High-risk (class III) devices that are required to have premarket approval are adulterated if no approved application is in effect or if approval is denied, suspended, or withdrawn; there are limited transition exceptions, including 90-day and 30-month time frames in specific situations. Devices that are banned, made or installed without required controls, used in ways that break investigational-use conditions, or whose manufacturer refuses or blocks inspections are also adulterated. If a drug name is in an official compendium (like the U.S. Pharmacopeia) and its strength, quality, or purity differs from the compendium standard, it is adulterated unless the difference is clearly labeled. The agency uses the compendium’s test methods to decide. If those tests are missing or inadequate, the Secretary will ask the compendium body to fix them or will make rules. For these rules, “current good manufacturing practice” includes oversight and controls to ensure quality, including managing risks and safety of raw materials and finished products.
Full Legal Text
Title 21, §351
Food and Drugs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
A drug or device shall be deemed to be adulterated—
(a)(1)If it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance; or (2)(A) if it has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health; or (B) if it is a drug and the methods used in, or the facilities or controls used for, its manufacture, processing, packing, or holding do not conform to or are not operated or administered in conformity with current good manufacturing practice to assure that such drug meets the requirements of this chapter as to safety and has the identity and strength, and meets the quality and purity characteristics, which it purports or is represented to possess; or (C) if it is a compounded positron emission tomography drug and the methods used in, or the facilities and controls used for, its compounding, processing, packing, or holding do not conform to or are not operated or administered in conformity with the positron emission tomography compounding standards and the official monographs of the United States Pharmacopoeia to assure that such drug meets the requirements of this chapter as to safety and has the identity and strength, and meets the quality and purity characteristics, that it purports or is represented to possess; or (3) if its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or (4) if (A) it bears or contains, for purposes of coloring only, a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 379e(a) of this title, or (B) it is a color additive the intended use of which in or on drugs or devices is for purposes of coloring only and is unsafe within the meaning of section 379e(a) of this title; or (5) if it is a new animal drug which is unsafe within the meaning of section 360b of this title; or (6) if it is an animal feed bearing or containing a new animal drug, and such animal feed is unsafe within the meaning of section 360b of this title.
(b)If it purports to be or is represented as a drug the name of which is recognized in an official compendium, and its strength differs from, or its quality or purity falls below, the standard set forth in such compendium. Such determination as to strength, quality, or purity shall be made in accordance with the tests or methods of assay set forth in such compendium, except that whenever tests or methods of assay have not been prescribed in such compendium, or such tests or methods of assay as are prescribed are, in the judgment of the Secretary, insufficient for the making of such determination, the Secretary shall bring such fact to the attention of the appropriate body charged with the revision of such compendium, and if such body fails within a reasonable time to prescribe tests or methods of assay which, in the judgment of the Secretary, are sufficient for purposes of this paragraph, then the Secretary shall promulgate regulations prescribing appropriate tests or methods of assay in accordance with which such determination as to strength, quality, or purity shall be made. No drug defined in an official compendium shall be deemed to be adulterated under this paragraph because it differs from the standard of strength, quality, or purity therefor set forth in such compendium, if its difference in strength, quality, or purity from such standard is plainly stated on its label. Whenever a drug is recognized in both the United States Pharmacopoeia and the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States it shall be subject to the requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia unless it is labeled and offered for sale as a homoeopathic drug, in which case it shall be subject to the provisions of the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and not to those of the United States Pharmacopoeia.
(c)If it is not subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section and its strength differs from, or its purity or quality falls below, that which it purports or is represented to possess.
(d)If it is a drug and any substance has been (1) mixed or packed therewith so as to reduce its quality or strength or (2) substituted wholly or in part therefor.
(e)(1)If it is, or purports to be or is represented as, a device which is subject to a performance standard established under section 360d of this title unless such device is in all respects in conformity with such standard.
(2)If it is declared to be, purports to be, or is represented as, a device that is in conformity with any standard recognized under section 360d(c) of this title unless such device is in all respects in conformity with such standard.
(f)(1)If it is a class III device—
(A)(i)which is required by an order issued under subsection (b) of section 360e of this title to have an approval under such section of an application for premarket approval and which is not exempt from section 360e of this title under section 360j(g) of this title, and
(ii)(I)for which an application for premarket approval or a notice of completion of a product development protocol was not filed with the Secretary within the ninety-day period beginning on the date of the issuance of such order, or
(II)for which such an application was filed and approval of the application has been denied, suspended, or withdrawn, or such a notice was filed and has been declared not completed or the approval of the device under the protocol has been withdrawn;
(B)(i)which was classified under section 360c(f) of this title into class III, which under section 360e(a) of this title is required to have in effect an approved application for premarket approval, and which is not exempt from section 360e of this title under section 360j(g) of this title, and
(ii)which has an application which has been suspended or is otherwise not in effect; or
(C)which was classified under section 360j(l) of this title into class III, which under such section is required to have in effect an approved application under section 360e of this title, and which has an application which has been suspended or is otherwise not in effect.
(2)(A)In the case of a device classified under section 360c(f) of this title into class III and intended solely for investigational use, paragraph 11 So in original. Probably should be “subparagraph”. (1)(B) shall not apply with respect to such device during the period ending on the ninetieth day after the date of the promulgation of the regulations prescribing the procedures and conditions required by section 360j(g)(2) of this title.
(B)In the case of a device subject to an order issued under subsection (b) of section 360e of this title, paragraph 1 (1) shall not apply with respect to such device during the period ending—
(i)on the last day of the thirtieth calendar month beginning after the month in which the classification of the device in class III became effective under section 360c of this title, or
(ii)on the ninetieth day after the date of the issuance of such order,
(3)In the case of a device with respect to which a regulation was promulgated under section 360e(b) of this title prior to July 9, 2012, a reference in this subsection to an order issued under section 360e(b) of this title shall be deemed to include such regulation.
(g)If it is a banned device.
(h)If it is a device and the methods used in, or the facilities or controls used for, its manufacture, packing, storage, or installation are not in conformity with applicable requirements under section 360j(f)(1) of this title or an applicable condition prescribed by an order under section 360j(f)(2) of this title.
(i)If it is a device for which an exemption has been granted under section 360j(g) of this title for investigational use and the person who was granted such exemption or any investigator who uses such device under such exemption fails to comply with a requirement prescribed by or under such section.
(j)If it is a drug or device and it has been manufactured, processed, packed, or held in any factory, warehouse, or establishment and the owner, operator, or agent of such factory, warehouse, or establishment delays, denies, or limits an inspection, or refuses to permit entry or inspection. For purposes of paragraph (a)(2)(B), the term “current good manufacturing practice” includes the implementation of oversight and controls over the manufacture of drugs to ensure quality, including managing the risk of and establishing the safety of raw materials, materials used in the manufacturing of drugs, and finished drug products.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2017—Par. (j). Pub. L. 115–52 inserted “or device” after “drug”. 2012—Pub. L. 112–144, § 711, inserted concluding provisions. Par. (f)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 112–144, § 608(b)(2)(A)(i), substituted “an order issued” for “a regulation promulgated”. Par. (f)(1)(A)(ii)(I). Pub. L. 112–144, § 608(b)(2)(A)(ii), substituted “issuance of such order” for “promulgation of such regulation”. Par. (f)(2)(B). Pub. L. 112–144, § 608(b)(2)(B), substituted “an order issued” for “a regulation promulgated” in introductory provisions and “issuance of such order” for “promulgation of such regulation” in subcl. (ii). Par. (f)(3). Pub. L. 112–144, § 608(b)(2)(C), added subpar. (3). Par. (j). Pub. L. 112–144, § 707(a), added par. (j). 1997—Par. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 105–115, § 121(b)(1), inserted “; or (C) if it is a compounded positron emission tomography drug and the methods used in, or the facilities and controls used for, its compounding, processing, packing, or holding do not conform to or are not operated or administered in conformity with the positron emission tomography compounding standards and the official monographs of the United States Pharmacopoeia to assure that such drug meets the requirements of this chapter as to safety and has the identity and strength, and meets the quality and purity characteristics, that it purports or is represented to possess;” before “or (3)”. Par. (e). Pub. L. 105–115, § 204(c), designated existing provisions as subpar. (1) and added subpar. (2). 1992—Par. (a)(4). Pub. L. 102–571 substituted “379e(a)” for “376(a)” in cls. (A) and (B). 1990—Par. (f)(1). Pub. L. 101–629, § 9(b), which directed the amendment of subpars. (A) to (C) of par. (f), was executed by making the
Amendments
in cls. (A) to (C) of subpar. (1) of par. (f) as follows to reflect the probable intent of Congress: in cl. (A)(ii)(II), substituted “, suspended, or withdrawn” for “or withdrawn”; in cl. (B)(ii), substituted “which has an application which has been suspended or is otherwise not in effect” for “which does not have such an application in effect”; and in cl. (C), substituted “which has an application which has been suspended or is otherwise not in effect” for “which does not have such an application in effect”. 1976—Par. (a). Pub. L. 94–295, § 9(b)(1), substituted “(3) if its” for “(3) if it is a drug and its” in cl. (3), substituted “(4) if (A) it bears or contains” for “(4) if (A) it is a drug which bears or contains” in cl. (4)(A), and substituted “drugs or devices” for “drugs” in cl. (4)(B). Pars. (e) to (i). Pub. L. 94–295, § 3(d), added pars. (e) to (i). 1968—Par. (a). Pub. L. 90–399 added cls. (5) and (6). 1962—Par. (a). Pub. L. 87–781 designated existing provisions of cl. (2) as (A) and added (B). 1960—Par. (a). Pub. L. 86–618 substituted provisions in cl. (4) relating to unsafe color additives for provisions which related to a coal-tar color other than one from a batch that has been certified in accordance with
Regulations
as provided by section 354 of this title.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective and Termination Dates of 1997 Amendment Pub. L. 105–115, title I, § 121(b)(2), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2320, provided that: “section 501(a)(2)(C) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(C)) shall not apply 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997] or 2 years after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services establishes the requirements described in subsection (c)(1)(B) [section 121(c)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as a note under section 355 of this title], whichever is later.” Amendment by Pub. L. 105–115 effective 90 days after Nov. 21, 1997, except as otherwise provided, see section 501 of Pub. L. 105–115, set out as an
Effective Date
of 1997 Amendment note under section 321 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1968 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 90–399 effective on first day of thirteenth calendar month after July 13, 1968, see section 108(a) of Pub. L. 90–399, set out as an
Effective Date
and Transitional Provisions note under section 360b of this title.
Effective Date
of 1962 Amendment; ExceptionsAmendment by Pub. L. 87–781 effective on first day of seventh calendar month following October 1962, see section 107 of Pub. L. 87–781, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.
Effective Date
of 1960 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 86–618 effective July 12, 1960, subject to the provisions of section 203 of Pub. L. 86–618, see section 202 of Pub. L. 86–618, set out as a note under section 379e of this title.
Effective Date
PostponementPar. (a)(4) effective Jan. 1, 1940, see act June 23, 1939, ch. 242, 53 Stat. 853, set out as an
Effective Date
Postponement in Certain Cases note under section 301 of this title. Approval by Regulation Prior to
July 9, 2012 Pub. L. 112–144, title VI, § 608(b)(3),
July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1059, provided that: “The
Amendments
made by this subsection [amending this section and section 360e of this title] shall have no effect on a regulation that was promulgated prior to the date of enactment of this Act [
July 9, 2012] requiring that a device have an approval under section 515 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360e) of an application for premarket approval.” Guidance Pub. L. 112–144, title VII, § 707(b),
July 9, 2012, 126 Stat. 1068, provided that: “Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section [
July 9, 2012], the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall issue guidance that defines the circumstances that would constitute delaying, denying, or limiting inspection, or refusing to permit entry or inspection, for purposes of section 501(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 351(j)] (as added by subsection (a)).”
Executive Documents
Transfer of Functions
For
Transfer of Functions
of Federal Security Administrator to Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare [now Health and Human Services], and of Food and Drug Administration in the Department of Agriculture to Federal Security Agency, see notes set out under section 321 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
21 U.S.C. § 351
Title 21 — Food and Drugs
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73