What action does the board take on a product deemed adulterated or misbranded?

When a product is deemed adulterated or misbranded, the board takes the action of tagging or marking it to indicate its status. This procedure is important for several reasons. First, it serves as a clear warning to consumers and retailers about the product’s unsafe or misleading nature, thereby preventing its sale or consumption. This action ensures transparency and facilitates awareness among stakeholders who might be responsible for handling or selling the product.

Tagging or marking indicates that the product does not meet established standards and helps maintain regulatory compliance within the marketplace. It allows for proper enforcement actions while still allowing the manufacturer or responsible party an opportunity to address the issues before final disposition of the product, such as returning it to the manufacturer or taking corrective measures. This practice ultimately supports public health and safety initiatives by preventing the distribution of harmful or deceptive products.

In contrast, other options such as labeling it as checked and approved would give a false sense of safety, returning it to the manufacturer immediately may not always be feasible or appropriate, and removing it from the market without notice could lead to confusion and lack of compliance with regulations regarding notification and due process.