Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-5101

A. Whenever in the judgment of the Commissioner action will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers, the Board shall adopt regulations fixing and establishing for any food or class of food: labeling requirements; a reasonable definition and standard of identity; and a reasonable standard of quality and fill of container, or tolerances or limits of variability. In prescribing a definition and standard of identity for any food or class of food in which optional ingredients are permitted, the Board shall, for the purpose of promoting honesty and fair dealing in the interest of the consumers, designate the optional ingredients that shall be named on the label. The definitions and standards so adopted may conform so far as practicable to the definitions and standards promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under authority conferred by § 401 of the federal act.

B. The Board may adopt regulations for the efficient administration of subsection C of § 3.2-5100 in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

C. Any regulations adopted pertaining to this section shall not apply to nonprofit organizations holding one-day food sales. The Commissioner may disseminate to nonprofit organizations educational materials related to the safe preparation of food for human consumption.

Code 1950, § 3-314; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-394; 1996, c. 728 ; 2002, c. 218 ; 2008, c. 860 ; 2022, c. 204 .