Adulteration or substitution of food or other products

Legal defence in cases of adulteration or substitution of food or other products

Adulteration or substitution of food or products (Article 357 of the Criminal Code) concerns preparing, offering or displaying for sale adulterated or substituted products harmful to health. Paragraph (1) provides for 3 months–3 years or a fine and prohibition of certain rights. For counterfeit or substituted medicines harmful to health, paragraph (2) provides for 6 months–5 years and prohibition of certain rights. There is no generic aggravating factor of adding substances or general negligent offence in this article. Laboratory analysis must be correlated with the act and culpability.

Analysis of expert reports, demonstrating absence of culpability and defence strategies

We analyse the product, adulteration or substitution, harmful nature and act of preparing, offering or displaying. Laboratory assessment, traceability and the person’s knowledge matter; mere commercial non-compliance does not prove all criminal requirements.
Article 357 does not generically criminalise negligence. The lawyer examines intent and distinguishes the medicines variant from the food variant. An improperly collected sample must be challenged under the applicable rules, without assuming that every technical irregularity closes the case.

Urgent legal assistance in Focșani and Vrancea county

A criminal investigation concerning the quality of food or other products intended for the public may begin rapidly after DSVSA, ANPC or DSP inspections and have serious consequences for the business, reputation and liberty. Basuc Cosmin Law Office in Focșani offers urgent legal representation and comprehensive support in managing this legal crisis. We actively assist during interviews by police and prosecutors’ offices attached to courts in Vrancea County, defend your interests in dealings with inspection bodies and formulate a strong trial defence before Focșani District Court, acting firmly to reject unfounded allegations and obtain the best possible legal outcome.