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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 9Pt. 3Ch. 5Art. 13§ 19441 Horsemeat Adulteration Prohibition

§ 19441 Horsemeat Adulteration Prohibition

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 19441 Horsemeat Adulteration Prohibition

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't mix horsemeat or meat from dead animals into food meant for people.
  • •You can't lie and say horsemeat or pet food is regular meat for humans.
  • •If you break this rule, you can go to jail or pay a big fine (at least $10,000).

Example

A butcher shop sells burgers but secretly uses horsemeat instead of beef.

This is illegal because they are lying about what meat is in the burgers. They could get in big trouble, like paying a huge fine or going to jail.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19441 Horsemeat Adulteration Prohibition

Any person who, as principal or agent, employer or employee, adulterates any other meat or meat food product intended for human food with horsemeat or the product of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter or the product of an animal slaughtered for pet food in accordance with this chapter, or represents horsemeat or pet food to be any other meat or meat food product, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or both. (Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 122. (AB 109) Effective April 4, 2011. Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

adulterateshorsemeatmeat food productfelonyfineimprisonment

Related Statutes

  • § 19306 Renderer Recordkeeping Violations
  • § 53541 Penalties For Violations
  • § 67111 False Reporting Penalties
  • § 14592 Penalty For Violation
  • § 14602 Penalties For Violations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 19441.
View Official Source