Pennsylvania § 5725 - Penalties.

§ 5725. Penalties.

(a) Criminal penalties.--A person who violates any provision of this subchapter or any rule, regulation, standard or order made under this subchapter commits a summary offense for the first or second offense. A person who violates this subchapter or any rule, regulation, standard or order made under this subchapter commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if the violation is a third or subsequent offense and if the violation occurs within two years of the date of the last previous offense.

(b) Civil penalties.--In addition to proceeding under any other remedy available at law or in equity for a violation of this subchapter, or a rule or regulation adopted or any order issued under this subchapter, the secretary may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 upon an individual or business for each offense. No civil penalty shall be assessed unless the person charged has been given notice and opportunity for a hearing in accordance with law. In determining the amount of the penalty, the secretary shall consider the gravity of the violation. Whenever the secretary finds a violation which did not cause harm to human health, the secretary may issue a warning in lieu of assessing a penalty. In case of inability to collect the civil penalty or failure of any person to pay all or any portion of the penalty as the secretary may determine, the secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General, who shall recover the amount by action in the appropriate court.

(c) Guaranty.--

(1) No prosecution shall be sustained under the provisions of this subchapter for the manufacture, delivery, consignment, bailment, holding or sale of or offering for sale, exposing for sale or having in possession with intent to sell any adulterated or misbranded article against a person from whom the article of food, sample or portion was obtained by the department if the person can establish a guaranty to the effect that the article of food is not adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this subchapter, was adulterated or misbranded prior to coming into the possession of the person and the person did not know or have reason to know of the adulteration or misbranding or was adulterated or misbranded after it left the possession and control of the person. The guaranty must be signed by the supplier, manufacturer, wholesale dealer, jobber or distributor from whom the articles of food were purchased or procured.

(2) The guaranty to afford protection shall contain the name and address of the supplier, manufacturer, wholesale dealer, jobber or distributor making the sale of the article of food to the person holding the guaranty. A supplier, manufacturer, wholesale dealer, jobber or distributor giving a guaranty under the provisions of this subchapter may be held responsible and may be proceeded against for the adulteration or misbranding of any article of food sold under the guaranty and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violation of this subchapter. A guaranty shall not operate as a defense to prosecution for a violation of the provisions of this subchapter if the person holding the guaranty continues to sell the same food after written or printed notice from the secretary that the article is adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of this subchapter. However, if the person violated the provisions of this subchapter by having stored, transported, exposed or kept the article in a way or manner to render it diseased, contaminated or unwholesome, the person may be proceeded against for a violation.

(d) Minor violations.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as requiring prosecution or institution of a proceeding under this subchapter for minor violations of this subchapter if the secretary believes that the public interest will be adequately served in the circumstances by a suitable written notice or warning.

(e) Food establishments subject to local inspections.--Penalties shall be established by the county, borough, incorporated town or township for food establishments that are subject to local inspection under section 5733(b) (relating to rules and regulations).