P.R. Laws tit. 24, § 771i
When the Secretary finds in any establishment engaged in intrastate commerce meat or meat food products and has reasonable motives to believe that same are unfit for human consumption or are falsely labeled, as provided in this chapter, he shall affix on said meats or meat food products an appropriate label or mark giving warning that it is or is supposed to be unfit for human consumption or is falsely labeled and that it has been confiscated and seized being left under the custody of the owner of the establishment; and at the same time warning all persons on said label that such articles shall not be moved from their site nor disposed of through sale or otherwise until the Secretary or the competent court grants the corresponding permit. He shall issue a certificate and a copy of same signed by the inspector stating the amount of the merchandise and should it be necessary he shall take the corresponding samples. When it is proved that said confiscated or seized articles are unfit for human consumption or are falsely labeled, he may proceed to destroy same or direct that their labeling, if possible, be corrected, on agreement of the owner of the product. If the agreement is not obtained, he shall request from the judge, through the assistant attorney, an order for its destruction or correction of labeling.
If the court finds a product which has been confiscated or seized under the provisions of this chapter is unfit for human consumption or is falsely labeled, after rendering judgment, it shall be destroyed on account of the owner under vigilance of an inspector and the costs and fees, the storage expenses and other necessary expenses shall be imposed on the owner or his agent. If the condition could be corrected through the proper labeling or processing of the product, the court may order that same be delivered to the interested persons by means of a bond equal to the sum of the merchandise, under the vigilance and supervision of the inspector. The owner of the product shall defray the expenses of the vigilance and of the processing.
History —June 28, 1969, No. 120, p. 334, § 10.