Title 21, Food and DrugsRelease 119-102
§18 Suspension of Importation of Adulterated Articles
Title 21 › CHAPTER 1 — ADULTERATED OR MISBRANDED FOODS OR DRUGS › SUBCHAPTER II — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 18
Summary
The President can stop imports from a foreign country if he thinks food or drink coming from there is unsafe or contaminated. He makes an official announcement naming the country and how long the ban lasts, and while the ban is in effect it is illegal to bring those items into the United States.
Full Legal Text
Title 21, §18
Food and Drugs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever the President is satisfied that there is good reason to believe that any importation is being made, or is about to be made, into the United States, from any foreign country, of any article used for human food or drink that is adulterated to an extent dangerous to the health or welfare of the people of the United States, or any of them, he may issue his proclamation suspending the importation of such articles from such country for such period of time as he may think necessary to prevent such importation; and during such period it shall be unlawful to import into the United States from the countries designated in the proclamation of the President any of the articles the importation of which is so suspended.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
21 U.S.C. § 18
Title 21, Food and Drugs
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102