United States v. 1,500 Cases More or Less, Tomato Paste
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
236 F.2d 208 (1956)

- Written by Alex Ruskell, JD
Facts
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sued to condemn around 1,500 cases of tomato paste for being adulterated with mold and insect parts. The mold and insect parts were harmless and only visible under a microscope, and the FDA did not have a set standard for how much mold or insect parts could lead to condemnation. The relevant statute provided the definition of adulterated as “consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance, or if it is otherwise unfit for food.” The court ruled against the FDA, and the FDA appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Swaim, J.)
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