reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774b - Seizure and condemnation

(a) Any meat or meat food product or any dead, dying, disabled or injured, or diseased animal that is being transported in intrastate commerce, or is held for sale in the Commonwealth before and after such transportation, and that:
(1) Is or has been prepared, sold, transported, or otherwise distributed or offered or received for distribution in violation of this chapter; or
(2) is capable of use as human food and is adulterated or misbranded, or
(3) in any other way is in violation of this chapter, shall be liable to be proceeded against and seized and condemned through petition filed in the court within the jurisdiction of which the article or animal is found. If the article or animal is condemned it shall, after entry of the decree, be disposed of by destruction as the courts may direct and the proceeds, if sold, less the court costs and fees, and storage and other proper expenses, shall be paid into the Treasury of the Commonwealth, but the article or animal shall not be sold contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, or of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; Provided, That upon the execution and delivery of a sufficient bond conditioned that the article or animal shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of contrary to the applicable commonwealth and federal laws, the court may direct that such article or animal be delivered to the owner thereof subject to such supervision by authorized representatives of the Secretary as is necessary to insure compliance with said laws.
(b) The provisions of this section shall in no way derogate from authority for condemnation or seizure conferred by other provisions of this chapter, or other laws.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 403.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774c - Jurisdiction of Court of First Instance

The Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico is hereby vested with jurisdiction to enforce and punish violations of this chapter, and shall have jurisdiction in all other cases arising under this chapter. The petition for action, for seizure or condemnation shall have preference in the court calendars and the hearing shall be held not later than ten (10) days after the owner of the article or animal, the object of the action, has been notified. The court shall render judgment or resolution within the ten (10) days of the holding of the hearing, the owner or representative or his attorney, if any, being notified in the same manner. A writ of certiorari may be filed before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico against the judgment or resolution of the court, within ten (10) days of the notice of the judgment or resolution, provided a bond has been furnished to the satisfaction of the lower court. Should the writ of certiorari not be established within the determined term, the resolution of the lower court shall become conclusive and final.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 404.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774d - Penalty for interfering with person performing official duties

Any person who forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates or interferes with any person while the latter is engaged in or on account of the performance of his official duties under this chapter shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisoned not more than three years, or both penalties in the discretion of the court. Whoever, in the commission of any such acts, uses a deadly or dangerous weapon, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both penalties in the discretion of the court.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 405.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774e - Violation of provisions without specific penalty

(a) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter for which no other criminal penalty is provided shall upon conviction thereof be subject to the payment of a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both penalties in the discretion of the court, but if such violation involves intent to defraud, or any distribution or attempted distribution of an article that is adulterated (except as defined in § 771a(k)(8) of this title), such person upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisonment for a term of not more than three (3) years, or both penalties in the discretion of the court; Provided, That no person shall be subject to penalties under this section for receiving for transportation any article or animal in violation of this chapter if such receipt was made in good faith, unless such person refuses to furnish on request of a representative of the Secretary the name and address of the person from whom he received such article or animal, and copies of all documents, if any, pertaining to the delivery of the article or animal to him.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the Secretary to report for prosecution any person or seizure and condemnation procedure, those violations of minor importance, whenever he believes that the public interest will be adequately served by a suitable written notice or warning.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 406.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774g - Prior provisions applicable

In regard to slaughterhouses or establishments which process meat food products, the Department of Health of Puerto Rico shall continue carrying out the functions in connection with the operation of said slaughterhouses or establishments for the inspection of meats and its processed products, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 761—764 of this title, and of the Health Regulation No. 26 promulgated September 8, 1914, subject to the provisions of § 774h of this title.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 408.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 54 - Wholesome Meat (§§ 771 — 774h) › Subchapter IV - Auxiliary Provisions (§§ 774 — 774h) › § 774h - Operation of slaughterhouses and other establishments

From and after December 15, 1969, there may only operate in Puerto Rico those slaughterhouses or establishments, which process meat food products, constructed, enlarged or improved and which operate in accordance with the standards established by this chapter and the regulations promulgated by virtue thereof; Provided, That should an agreement be obtained with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States to postpone for an additional year, from and after the indicated date, the application to Puerto Rico of Titles I and IV of the Federal Wholesome Meat Act approved December 15, 1967, the Secretary may grant provisional authorizations to permit the operation of those slaughterhouses or establishments which process meat food products which fulfill the minimum health requirements established by mutual agreements between the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, which assure that the operation in said slaughterhouses or establishments does not constitute a risk to the public health; Provided, further, That the date of expiration of said provisional authorizations may be extended only up to December 15, 1970. From and after this last date there may only operate in Puerto Rico slaughterhouses and those other establishments which process meat food products that the Secretary may authorize and which totally fulfill the standards established by this chapter and the requirements which may be established in the regulations promulgated in virtue thereof.
The Secretary shall begin to render the inspection services provided by this chapter and its regulations in those slaughterhouses or establishments that on and from December 15, 1969, are authorized by him and which comply with the standards established by this chapter and the regulations promulgated in virtue thereof, or which have provisional authorization from the Secretary to operate as previously indicated.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 409.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 791 - Adulteration of milk—Penalties

Every person who adulterates or dilutes milk and every person who sells, offers, or keeps for sale milk so adulterated or diluted, or who transports or stores such milk to be used for human consumption or for the purpose of submitting it to the process of pasteurization or any other process preparatory for human consumption, and every person using adulterated or diluted milk for industrial purposes, when such milk is to be used in the preparation of food for human consumption, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, punished, for the first offense, by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25), nor more than one hundred dollars ($100). Recidivism shall be punished by confinement in jail for not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500), and by revocation of the license. Provided, That for the purposes of §§ 791—795 of this title adulterated milk shall be considered any milk containing any substance not authorized by the Secretary of Health through regulations to that effect, or any poisonous or deleterious substance, or any other substance extraneous to the milk that might harm public health.
History —Aug. 12, 1925, No. 77, p. 558, § 1; June 17, 1955, No. 77, p. 282, § 1; July 23, 1974, No. 234, Part 2, p. 218, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 792 - Adulteration of milk—Publication of standard grade of milk

The standard grade of milk shall be fixed by the Secretary of Health and published for a general knowledge in such newspapers having the greatest circulation in the Commonwealth as said Secretary may determine.
History —Aug. 12, 1925, No. 77, p. 558, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 793 - Adulteration of milk—Publication of second offenders

Judgment rendered against any person for a second or subsequent offense shall be published in two newspapers of the greatest circulation in the Commonwealth, and shall also be advertised by means of posters to be placed in public places and at the domicile or establishment of the guilty party.
History —Aug. 12, 1925, No. 77, p. 558, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 794 - Adulteration of milk—Powdered skimmed milk for cattle feed

All powdered skimmed milk sold or used in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as cattle feed shall be duly colored with artificial coloring matter certified by the Department of Agriculture of the United States, with the approval of the Secretary of Health; Provided, That all powdered milk to be used for such purpose, which is to be sold or used in Puerto Rico and does not comply with the foregoing provision, shall be seized by the Secretary of Health or his agents, and the person thus using or offering it for sale shall be charged, and upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine which shall not be less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by confinement in jail for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —Aug. 12, 1925, No. 77, p. 558, § 4; July 13, 1978, No. 40, p. 503, § 1, eff. 30 days after July 13, 1978.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 795 - Adulteration of milk—Cognizance of District Court

The jurisdiction to take cognizance of said cases and to impose punishment for the violation of the provisions of §§ 791—795 of this title is hereby exclusively conferred on the District Court.
History —Aug. 12, 1925, No. 77, p. 558, § 5; June 4, 1979, No. 59, p. 122.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 796 - Powdered milk—License

Every natural or [juridical] person, desiring to introduce into Puerto Rico any powdered milk, whether whole or skimmed, must first provide himself with a license after applying to the Secretary of Health. In said license [application] such person shall state his name, profession, and residence; the use which he intends to make of such powdered milk as he may introduce; the place of origin thereof, with a statement of the name of the manufacturer and of the place where the factory is located; the class of the product, the use to be made thereof, and the place where it is to be introduced. The Secretary of Health, after carefully investigating said application shall grant the license, or not, in his discretion.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 1, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 797 - Powdered milk—Notice of importation

Every natural or [juridical] person who, after obtaining the corresponding license, introduces any kind of powdered milk, either whole or skim, into Puerto Rico, shall give notice to the Secretary of Health of the arrival of the shipment which is the object of the license. The Secretary of Health shall issue the proper orders and take the necessary measures, including the denaturation of the product, if necessary, so that said product cannot be used for purposes other than those mentioned in the declaration.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 2, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 798 - Powdered milk—License as essential

No person, either natural or juridical, may possess, store, sell, transport, or use powdered milk, either whole or skim, without obtaining therefor a license from the Secretary of Health.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 3, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 799 - Powdered milk—Seizure and destruction

All powdered milk, either whole or skim, introduced, sold, transported, stored, or used in Puerto Rico without the foregoing provisions having been complied with, shall be seized and destroyed, without indemnification, by the Secretary of Health, or by his agents, and the person so introducing, selling, transporting, storing, or using it shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished as hereinafter provided.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 4, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 800 - Powdered milk—Penalties

Every person who violates the provisions of §§ 796—801 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) for the first offense. Every person convicted of subsequent violations of the provisions of §§ 796—801 of this title shall be punished by confinement in jail for from one (1) to twenty (20) months, in the discretion of the court, the circumstances in each case to be considered.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 5, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 55 - Milk (§§ 791 — 801) › § 801 - Powdered milk—Regulations

The Secretary of Health shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to enforce §§ 796—801 of this title.
History —Apr. 25, 1929, No. 38, p. 218, § 6, eff. 90 days after Apr. 25, 1929.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 821 - Adulteration of coffee

It shall be illegal to adulterate or to mix coffee, in the grain, ground, or pulverized, with any other grain or substance with the intention of selling it, or to offer or have it for sale, and it shall be equally illegal for said coffee, so adulterated or mixed, to be sold, offered or had for sale, or that it be transported or stored for the purpose of using it for human consumption, or to use it for industrial purposes, when intended for the preparation of food for human consumption.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 1, eff. 90 days after Apr. 20, 1928.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 822 - Adulteration of coffee—License obligatory

Any natural or [juridical] person engaging in the business of roasting coffee for wholesaling or retailing shall obtain from the Secretary of Health a license to carry on such business; and it shall be illegal for said person to carry on such business without obtaining the said license.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 2; June 25, 1966, No. 123, p. 381, § 1, eff. 90 days after June 25, 1966.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 822a - Adulteration of coffee—Application for licenses; licenses in force

Application for a license shall be filed in the Department of Health on a blank form furnished thereby and shall contain such information as said Department may reasonably require. Provided, That all licenses to operate coffee businesses so far granted upon the taking of effect of this act shall continue in force if they meet the requirements herein prescribed. Every coffee roasting plant shall display its license to the public in a conspicuous place.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, added as § 2A on June 25, 1966, No. 123, p. 381, § 2, eff. 90 days after June 25, 1966.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 822b - Aldulteration of Coffee—Denial, revocation or suspension of licenses

The Department of Health, upon notice to the licensee and an opportunity to be heard, may deny, revoke or suspend a license in any case of noncompliance with the applicable regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health, or of the commission of any of the acts declared illegal by § 821 of this title.
Any applicant or licensee aggrieved by the decision of the Department denying, suspending or revoking a license, as the case may be, may, within a term of thirty (30) days after receiving notice of the decision, appeal to the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico. The appeal shall be taken through a petition for review filed before the court, with notice on the Department of Health, and shall be accompanied by a specific and concise statement of the error or errors allegedly incurred in the decision of the Department of Health.
Upon receiving notice of the petition for review, the Department of Health shall submit to the court a certified copy of the record and of its decision, including a transcript of the hearings on which the decision is based. The findings of fact of the Department of Health shall be conclusive unless substantially contrary to the evidence.
In the appeal hearing before the Court of First Instance no new evidence shall be admitted, but if any of the parties should convince the court that evidence has been found after the hearing before the Department of Health which could not be obtained for use at that time, after reasonable diligence, and which will substantially affect the merits of the case, the court may, in its discretion, remand the record to the Department of Health for consideration of the evidence subsequently disclosed and the pertinent order or resolution, from which appeal may be taken before the Court of First Instance, as prescribed in this section.
The court may decide the case by confirming, modifying or revoking the decision of the Department of Health.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, added as § 3B on June 25, 1966, No. 123, p. 381, § 2, eff. 90 days after June 25, 1966.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 824 - Adulteration of coffee—Chemical laboratory report

The report on the subject rendered by the Commonwealth Chemical Laboratory, certified to by the Director thereof, shall be prima facie evidence that any coffee, in the grain, ground, or pulverized, has been adulterated or mixed with any other grain or substance.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 4, eff. 90 days after Apr. 20, 1928.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 825 - Adulteration of coffee—Penalties

Any person violating § 821 of this title shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced, for the first violation, to pay a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), and for subsequent violations, to pay a fine of three hundred dollars ($300) and to be confined in jail for a term of from one (1) to three (3) months; Provided, That if said person commits such violation while, and because of, carrying on the business of selling roasted or ground coffee, a subsequent offense shall carry with it, in his case, the definite revocation of the license granted him; and, Provided, further, That no person shall be granted a license to carry on such business if he has violated in any way said § 821 of this title.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 5, eff. 90 days after Apr. 20, 1928.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 826 - Adulteration of coffee—Additional violations

Every violation of § 822 of this title shall be considered a misdemeanor, and no person violating it more than once shall be granted a license for carrying on the business referred to in said section.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 6, eff. 90 days after Apr. 20, 1928.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 57 - Coffee (§§ 821 — 827) › § 827 - Adulteration of coffee—Cognizance of violations

The Court of First Instance shall have exclusive jurisdiction in taking cognizance of the violations of § 821 of this title.
History —Apr. 20, 1928, No. 24, p. 166, § 7, eff. 90 days after Apr. 20, 1928.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 851 - Enriched flour for bread—Definitions

For the purposes of the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and the application thereof the following definitions shall govern:
(a) Federal regulations. — The regulations promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as they appear in the Code of Federal Regulations, as amended.
(b) Flour. — Flour of any kind or description made from the wheat kernel and conforming to the definitions and standards contained in the federal regulations, but shall exclude whole wheat flour made from the entire kernel, and containing the same in full, without removal of any of the natural components thereof.
(c) Enriched flour. — Flour to which vitamins and other nutritional ingredients essential to good feeding have been added, in conformity with the definitions and identity standards of enriched flour or enriched bromated flour, or enriched self-rising flour, as the case may be, contained in federal regulations.
(d) White bread. — Any oven bread of a white color and known and sold usually as such.
(e) Secretary of Health. — The Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico or his legal representatives.
(f) Person. — Any natural or [juridical] person, firm, corporation, association, or other organization engaged in the manufacture or sale of bread or any other product manufactured in whole or in part with flour for industrial or commercial purposes.
(g) Dry food [pastas]. — Include macaroni, spaghetti, noodle and other products known as Italian-type food [pastas], in their various forms, sizes and appearances, and in whose processing durum or semolina is used; but do not include [pastas] which have been canned or frozen.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 1; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, §§ 2, 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 852 - Enriched flour for bread—Unlawful making or sale of flour products

It shall be unlawful for any person to make, sell, or offer for sale in Puerto Rico, for human consumption, any white bread, crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), and dry food [pastas] made of flour, other than enriched flour as hereinabove defined; Provided, That any white bread, crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), and dry food [pastas] made of flour outside of Puerto Rico, and sold in Puerto Rico, shall meet the requirements established by this chapter, the same as the products manufactured in Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474; § 2; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 853 - Enriched flour for bread—Unlawful use or sale of flour

(a) It shall be unlawful to store, possess, manufacture, give, or present, sell, purchase, donate, or anywise convey or cede for industrial or commercial purposes, for human consumption, any quantity of flour which does not meet the requirements established by this chapter for the making of white bread or crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), and dry food [pastas]; Provided, That this provision shall apply to flour that may be manufactured in Puerto Rico when it is for consumption in Puerto Rico.
(b) The possession, storage, manufacture, gift, sale, purchase, donation, any form of conveyance and cession and transportation for industrial or commercial purposes, for human consumption, of any quantity of nonenriched flour shall be regulated through regulations approved by the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 3; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 854 - Enriched flour for bread—Standard of enriched flour; suspension of use

It shall be contrary to this chapter to sell, or offer for sale, for human consumption, any flour, white bread, crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), and dry food [pastas] made with enriched flour which do not conform to the requirements as to purity and labeling established by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, approved June 25, 1938, as amended, and by §§ 711—732 of this title, and the regulations under such acts. When indubitable proof exists that there is an imminent shortage of enriched flour and that for this reason the manufacture of bread, crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), and dry food [pastas] made of flour can be stopped because of the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary of Health may suspend the provisions of this chapter insofar as they refer to the use of enriched flour, and permit their manufacture with common flour.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 4; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 855 - Enriched flour for bread—Regulations

(a) Any regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health under the provisions ofthis chapter shall be in accordance with § 179 of Title 3.
(b) It is hereby provided that to the effects of § 854 and of subsection (a) of § 851 of this title, as amended by this act, it shall be understood that the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, approved June 25, 1938, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be applicable in accordance with the said federal act and regulations as amended to the date of approval of this act.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 5; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 856 - Enriched flour for bread—Inspection; entry; samples

For the purpose of the strict enforcement of this chapter, the Secretary of Health is hereby authorized to take samples to be used in making examinations and investigations. His agents or officers shall have authority to enter any factory, dock, warehouse, store, or establishment where flour is stored, or any factory, establishment, or store where white bread, crackers generally known as milk crackers, leaven crackers (de agua), soda crackers, and kneaded crackers (de manteca), dry food pastes made of flour, are manufactured, handled, packed, sold, stored or had, or into any vehicle used for the transportation thereof. Such agents or officers shall be authorized to inspect any or all the places or vehicles aforesaid, and such flour or flour products, as well as such materials, containers, labels and other equipment as may be found therein; and to take the necessary samples for analysis.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 6; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 857 - Enriched flour for bread—Penalties

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for the first violation; Provided, That recidivism shall entail a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment in jail for a term of three (3) months, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 7, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1948.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 59 - Flour (§§ 851 — 858) › § 858 - Enriched flour for bread—Cognizance of violations

The Court of First Instance shall have jurisdiction to take cognizance of all these cases and to impose penalties for violations of this chapter or of the regulations hereunder.
History —May 12, 1948, No. 183, p. 474, § 8; May 18, 1959, No. 12, p. 65, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 881 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Definitions

(a) Rice. — Means the grain or seed of the cereal plant Oryza sativa.
(b) Whole rice. — Means the grain or seed to which merely the skin or shell has been taken out, but which, however, substantially retains the bran, so that it contains not less than 1.35 milligrams of thiamine (Vitamin B[1]), 0.3 milligrams of iron per pound.
(c) Parboiled rice. — Means rice which, before taking out the skin or shell therefrom, before unshelling it, has been half boiled and dried, so that even after polished, it contains 1.2 milligrams of thiamine (Vitamin B[1]), 0.15 milligrams of riboflavin, 16.0 milligrams of niacin and 13.0 milligrams of iron per pound.
(d) Fortified rice. — Means milled rice of the general appearance at present consumed in Puerto Rico, to which is added thiamine (Vitamin B[1]), niacin, and iron, so that it contains not less than 2.0 milligrams of thiamine (Vitamin B[1]), 16.0 milligrams of niacin and 13.0 milligrams of iron per pound; when washed in cold water, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, it should not lose more than fifteen percent (15%) of its content of each of these substances.
(e) Secretary. — Means the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico.
(f) Person. — Means any natural or [juridical] person, business concern, corporation, association or any other entity.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 13, 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 882 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Unlawful use or sale of rice; processing excepted

No person may store, own, sell or offer for sale, purchase, give, grant, donate and present, or in any way transfer in Puerto Rico for human consumption, any rice other than whole rice, parboiled rice or fortified rice, as defined. Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not be applicable to:
(a) The rice contained in already prepared and canned precooked foods.
(b) Intact rice (unshelled) or to polished unfortified white rice that may be imported for processing in Puerto Rico and then to be sold or offered for sale as whole rice, parboiled rice or fortified rice, in which case they shall be subject to the provisions of the regulations that the Secretary may prescribe.
Every package of rice must indicate the maximum percentage of crushed rice that it may contain and shall meet the current standards provided in “United States for Rice”.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 2; Aug. 12, 2000, No. 164, § 1, eff. 180 days after Aug. 12, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 883 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Regulations

The Secretary shall prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of law, the necessary regulations for the enforcement of this chapter. Said regulations shall include provisions on labeling.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 13 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 884 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Inspection and samples; seizure and destruction

The Secretary is hereby authorized, either per se or by his representatives, to inspect piers, warehouses, establishments and stores, factories, vehicles, containers; to take samples for analysis and make the same, as well as examinations and investigations; to levy attachments and seize any rice not complying with the requirements of §§ 881—887 of this title, and to destroy it or dispose of it as circumstances may warrant.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 13, 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 885 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Suspension during shortage

The Secretary may, upon indubitable evidence that there exists an imminent shortage of parboiled rice or fortified rice, or that for valid reasons the industry cannot provide them—as for example, during a state of war or a similar national emergency—stay the effectiveness of this chapter for such time as may be necessary.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 5, eff. 90 days after May 13, 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 886 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Penalties

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction, be punished, for the first offense, by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100); Provided, That recidivism shall entail a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment in jail for a term of three (3) months, or both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 6, eff. 90 days after May 13, 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 61 - Rice (§§ 881 — 887) › § 887 - Nutritional qualities of rice—Cognizance of violations

The Court of First Instance shall have exclusive original jurisdiction to take cognizance of the cases of violations of this chapter or of the regulations hereunder, and to impose penalties therefor.
History —May 13, 1951, No. 430, p. 1212, § 7, eff. 90 days after May 13, 1951.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 892 - Prohibition

Smoking is prohibited at all times in the following places:
(a) Public buildings, departments, agencies, public instrumentalities and public corporations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(b) Classrooms, meeting halls, libraries, halls, school lunchrooms, cafeterias, and rest rooms in schools, and public and private institutions at all learning levels.
(c) Elevators for public use for the transportation of passengers and cargo in public and private buildings.
(d) Theaters and movie houses.
(e) Public and private hospitals and health centers.
(f) Public transportation vehicles, official vehicles and public or private ambulances.
(g) Restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops, bakeries, establishments devoted to the sale of food and fast food establishments.
(h) Museums.
(i) Funeral parlors.
(j) Courts.
(k) Areas that contain flammable fluids, gasses or materials.
(l) Gasoline retail sales service stations.
(m) Public or private child care centers.
(n) Public or private recreational installations.
(o) Elderly care centers.
(p) Bars, pubs, discotheques, and liquor stores.
(q) Casinos.
(r) Business establishments and convention centers.
(s) Shopping centers.
(t) Any work setting in where there are one (1) or more employees. This prohibition shall not prevent employees or other persons from being able to smoke outdoors and outside the work space.
(u) Private transportation vehicles when there is a minor in a car seat present or when there is a child under the age of thirteen (13).
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 3; Aug. 13, 1996, No. 133, § 2; Jan. 6, 1998, No. 11, § 2; Aug. 21, 1999, No. 287, § 2; Aug. 24, 2000, No. 188, § 1; Mar. 2, 2006, No. 66, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 893 - Sign

The directing authorities of all sites, companies or facilities affected by the provisions of this chapter shall affix a sign in visible places and in clear letters legible from a distance, at the places directly affected that contains at least the phrase “smoking prohibited” followed by a citing of this chapter.
The natural or juridical person who is the title holder, owner or lessee of the gasoline retail sale service station, shall install a sign in visible places and in letters clearly legible from a distance, that informs of the smoking prohibition, the penalties in the event of noncompliance, and the citing of this chapter.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 4; Jan. 6, 1998, No. 11, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 894 - Designation of smoking areas

The prohibitions established herein shall not apply to those business establishments exclusively engaged in the sale of tobacco and its by-products, nor to theater or film productions and presentations in which actors smoke as part of their character. Likewise, the prohibitions established in this chapter shall not apply in people’s homes, places in which each person shall be free to use tobacco or its by-products without being subject to this chapter, except for the provisions of § 891(r) of this title; in the case of hotel rooms, the Tourism Company shall establish regulations to determine which rules shall apply to rooms set aside for smokers.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 5; Mar. 2, 2006, No. 66, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 895 - Penal institutions and others

The authorities in control of any penal institution or addiction treatment center shall adopt an institutional policy to regulate smoking in its facilities, in order for the health of nonsmoking inmates not to be affected.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 6; Mar. 2, 2006, No. 66, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 896 - Regulation

The Secretary of Health shall, within ninety (90) days following the date of approval of this act, adopt the necessary rules and regulations in order to meet the purposes of this chapter, including the regulation of no smoking signs. Likewise, he/she shall periodically review said rules and regulations, in order for these to conform to any amendment made to this chapter.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 7; Mar. 2, 2006, No. 66, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 897 - Employee information

Every owner, manager, or head of the places regulated hereby shall be bound to advise his/her employees about the extent and justification of this chapter’s provisions and may coordinate with the Department of Health to hold educational lectures regarding its scope.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, § 8, eff. 180 days after Aug. 3, 1993.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART III - Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics (§§ 711 — 1031d) › Chapter 62 - Smoking Regulations in Public and Private Areas (§§ 891 — 899) › § 897a - Special Fund—Creation

A special fund to be denominated the “Special Department of Health Tobacco Control Fund”, attached to the Department of Health, is hereby created in the books of the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico. Said Special Fund shall be governed pursuant to the norms and regulations adopted by the Secretary, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury in harmony with the provisions in effect for the administration of similar funds. The Fund shall be exclusively used by the Tobacco Control and Prevention Division and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Environmental Health of the Department of Health to develop and implement any tobacco use education, prevention and control program, which shall include advertisements in the communications media. The revenues for administrative fines imposed in cases of violations of the provisions of this chapter and §§ 1040—1043 of Title 23, known as the “Act to Regulate the Publicity and Promotion of Every Product Manufactured with Tobacco” and any other revenues on account of other fines imposed under the implementation of the regulations related to tobacco, other budgetary appropriations and any financial item donated, transferred, contributed or assigned to the Department of Health by any natural or juridical person, foundations, and Commonwealth, federal and municipal government agencies or entities, shall be covered in this Fund, in order to comply with the [purposes] set forth herein.
The Division shall have the obligation to oversee that the funds be used for the purposes established in this section and shall render a report to the Secretary of Health, who, in turn, shall include the same in the Annual Report to the Legislature on the works performed with the monies of the Special Department of Health Tobacco Control Fund.
History —Aug. 3, 1993, No. 40, added as § 9 on Apr. 2, 2008, No. 35, § 1, eff. 6 months after Apr. 2, 2008.