Colorado § 25-5-410 - Definitions of "adulterated".

Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-5-410 — Definitions of "adulterated"., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 25-5-410. Definitions of "adulterated".

(1) A food is deemed to be adulterated:

(a) If it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but, in case the substance is not an added substance, such food shall not be considered adulterated under this paragraph (a) if the quantity of such substance in such food does not ordinarily render it injurious to health;

(b) (I) If it bears or contains any added poisonous or added deleterious substance which is unsafe within the meaning of section 25-5-413; except that a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity, a food additive, or a color additive shall not be deemed a poisonous or deleterious substance within the meaning of this paragraph (b);

(II) If it is a raw agricultural commodity and it bears or contains a pesticide chemical which is unsafe within the meaning of section 25-5-413 (1); but, if a pesticide chemical has been used in or on a raw agricultural commodity in conformity with an exemption granted or tolerance prescribed under section 25-5-413 (2) and such raw agricultural commodity has been subjected to processing such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydrating, or milling, the residue of such pesticide chemical remaining in or on such processed food, notwithstanding the provisions of section 25-5-413 (1) and this subparagraph (II), shall not be deemed unsafe if such residue in or on the raw agricultural commodity has been removed to the extent possible in good manufacturing practice and the concentration of such residue in the processed food when ready to eat is not greater than the tolerance prescribed for the raw agricultural commodity; or

(III) If it is, or it bears or contains any food additive which is, unsafe within the meaning of section 25-5-413 (1);

(c) If it consists in whole or in part of a diseased, contaminated, filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or if it is otherwise unfit for food;

(d) If it is produced, prepared, packed, or held under unsanitary conditions whereby it may be contaminated with filth or rendered diseased, unwholesome, or injurious to health;

(e) If it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter or which has been fed upon the uncooked offal from a slaughterhouse;

(f) If its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health;

(g) If it has been intentionally subjected to radiation unless the use of the radiation was in conformity with a regulation or exemption in effect pursuant to section 25-5-413 or 21 U.S.C. sec. 348;

(h) (I) If any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom;

(II) If any substance has been substituted wholly or in part therefor;

(III) If damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner;

(IV) If any substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to increase its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear better or of greater value than it is;

(i) If it is confectionery and:

(I) Has partially or completely imbedded therein any nonnutritive object; but this subparagraph (I) shall not apply in the case of any nonnutritive object if, in the judgment of the department as provided by regulations, such object is of practical functional value to the confectionery product and does not render the product injurious or hazardous to health;

(II) Bears or contains any alcohol other than alcohol not in excess of six and twenty-five hundredths percent by volume or five percent by weight; or

(III) Bears or contains any nonnutritive substance; but this subparagraph (III) shall not apply to a safe nonnutritive substance which is in or on confectionery by reason of its use for some practical functional purpose in the manufacture, packaging, or storage of such confectionery if the use of the substance does not promote deception of the consumer or otherwise result in adulteration or misbranding in violation of any provision of this part 4; and, furthermore, the department, for the purpose of avoiding or resolving uncertainty as to the application of this subparagraph (III), may issue regulations allowing or prohibiting the use of particular nonnutritive substances;

(j) If it is, or it bears or contains a color additive which is, unsafe within the meaning of section 25-5-413 (1) or the federal act;

(k) If it is chopped or ground beef or hamburger and it contains any meat other than the voluntary striated muscle of beef, or the total fat content, derived solely from beef, is in excess of thirty percent, or it contains any substance other than those which the department has by regulation declared to be permitted optional ingredients;

(l) If it is fresh meat or a fresh meat product, or fresh poultry, parts thereof, or fresh poultry products, and contains any antiseptic or chemical preservative;

(m) If it is meat or a meat product and contains any artificial coloring or if it is contained in an artificially colored casing or wrapper; except that the department may by regulation establish the conditions of the use of artificial color in casings and wrappers;

(n) If it is pork sausage or pork breakfast sausage and the total fat content is in excess of fifty percent.

Source: L. 57: p. 430, § 10. CRS 53: § 66-22-10. L. 61: p. 171, § 2. C.R.S. 1963: § 66-20-10. L. 70: pp. 200, 201, §§ 4, 5. L. 89: (1)(i)(II) amended, p. 709, § 5, effective July 1.

Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 25-5-410

What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-5-410 cover?

Section 25-5-410 ("Definitions of "adulterated".") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Colorado § 25-5-410?

A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 25-5-410" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Colorado law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.

How does Colorado § 25-5-410 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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