FDA Notices of Judgment Archives

Correspondence, legal records, lab reports, product labeling, photographs, and other documentary evidence accumulated in case files by federal attorneys used to prosecute violations of the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act and the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The physical collection is not arranged by NJ case number. Instead it is arranged chronologically by an alphabetical suffix, then numerically according to evidence control numbers as recorded in the published NJs. (Sample Nos., S. Nos., Interstate Sample (I.S.) Nos.). Users must first identify the relevant sample numbers then locate the box containing the appropriate number range.

A single prosecution can often be comprised of several, non-consecutively numbered sample numbers. Oftentimes the case files are filed according to the first sample number with the subsequent sample numbers combined within. These combinations or missing files are noted as best as possible for each box.

Series 10: Food Standards records and reports, appear to be related to food standards work. They record factory inspection data and product sampling chemistry with breakdowns of substances contained in the product formularies, notes on manufacturing processes, and sales and price information by state. FDA first received authority to establish food standards "in the interest of consumers" in the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The earliest records date to 1935, most likely done in anticipation of and in preparation for implementation of food standards provisions of the Act. The remainder were most likely samples taken in support of either establishing or enforcing food standards.

Series 11: Manufacturers' Index Cards contains cards organized alphabetically by defendant listing the substances, evidence numbers, and dates collected for all the prosecutions against the defendant.

A collection of the published NJs is also available.