21 U.S.C. § 602 : US Code - Section 602: Congressional statement of findings

Search 21 U.S.C. § 602 : US Code - Section 602: Congressional statement of findings

Meat and meat food products are an important source of the
Nation's total supply of food. They are consumed throughout the
Nation and the major portion thereof moves in interstate or foreign
commerce. It is essential in the public interest that the health
and welfare of consumers be protected by assuring that meat and
meat food products distributed to them are wholesome, not
adulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged.
Unwholesome, adulterated, or misbranded meat or meat food products
impair the effective regulation of meat and meat food products in
interstate or foreign commerce, are injurious to the public
welfare, destroy markets for wholesome, not adulterated, and
properly labeled and packaged meat and meat food products, and
result in sundry losses to livestock producers and processors of
meat and meat food products, as well as injury to consumers. The
unwholesome, adulterated, mislabeled, or deceptively packaged
articles can be sold at lower prices and compete unfairly with the
wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged
articles, to the detriment of consumers and the public generally.
It is hereby found that all articles and animals which are
regulated under this chapter are either in interstate or foreign
commerce or substantially affect such commerce, and that regulation
by the Secretary and cooperation by the States and other
jurisdictions as contemplated by this chapter are appropriate to
prevent and eliminate burdens upon such commerce, to effectively
regulate such commerce, and to protect the health and welfare of
consumers.