# 21 CFR § 501.18: Misbranding of animal food

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.18

## Section

- **Citation:** 21 CFR § 501.18
- **Heading:** Misbranding of animal food
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 21—Food and Drugs > CHAPTER I—FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES > SUBCHAPTER E—ANIMAL DRUGS, FEEDS, AND RELATED PRODUCTS > PART 501—ANIMAL FOOD LABELING > Subpart A—General Provisions

## Text

(a) Among representations in the labeling of a food which render such food misbranded is a false or misleading representation with respect to another food or a drug, device, or cosmetic.
(b) The labeling of a food which contains two or more ingredients may be misleading by reason (among other reasons) of the designation of such food in such labeling by a name which includes or suggests the name of one or more but not all such ingredients, even though the names of all such ingredients are stated elsewhere in the labeling.
(c) Among representations in the labeling of a food which render such food misbranded is any representation that expresses or implies a geographical origin of the food or any ingredient of the food except when such representation is either:
(1) A truthful representation of geographical origin.
(2) A trademark or trade name provided that as applied to the article in question its use is not deceptively misdescriptive. A trademark or trade name comprised in whole or in part of geographical words shall not be considered deceptively misdescriptive if it:
(i) Has been so long and exclusively used by a manufacturer or distributor that it is generally understood by the consumer to mean the product of a particular manufacturer or distributor; or
(ii) Is so arbitrary or fanciful that it is not generally understood by the consumer to suggest geographic origin.
(3) A part of the name required by applicable Federal law or regulation.
(4) A name whose market significance is generally understood by the consumer to connote a particular class, kind, type, or style of food rather than to indicate geographical origin.

## Nearby sections

- [21 CFR § 501.1 § 501.1 Principal display panel of package form animal food.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.1.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.2 § 501.2 Information panel of package for animal food.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.2.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.3 § 501.3 Identity labeling of animal food in package form.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.3.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.4 § 501.4 Animal food; designation of ingredients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.4.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.5 § 501.5 Animal food; name and place of business of manufacturer, packer, or distributor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.5.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.8 § 501.8 Labeling of animal food with number of servings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.8.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.15 § 501.15 Animal food; prominence of required statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.15.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.17 § 501.17 Animal food labeling warning statements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.17.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.18 § 501.18 Misbranding of animal food.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.18.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.22 § 501.22 Animal foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings, and chemical preservatives.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.22.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.100 § 501.100 Animal food; exemptions from labeling.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.100.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.103 § 501.103 Petitions requesting exemptions from or special requirements for label declaration of ingredients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.103.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.105 § 501.105 Declaration of net quantity of contents when exempt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.105.md)
- [21 CFR § 501.110 § 501.110 Animal feed labeling; collective names for feed ingredients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.110.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-21-501.18. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.