(a) Whenever the commissioner of environmental conservation finds or has probable cause to believe that a food or cosmetic is adulterated, or so misbranded as to be dangerous or fraudulent within the meaning of this chapter, the commissioner shall affix to it a tag or other appropriate marking, giving notice that it is or is suspected of being adulterated or misbranded and has been detained or embargoed, and warning all persons not to remove or dispose of it by sale or otherwise until permission for removal or disposal is given by the commissioner or the court. A person may not remove or dispose of a detained or embargoed article by sale or otherwise without this permission.
(b) The commissioner of health and social services has the same duty with respect to drugs and devices as the commissioner of environmental conservation has with respect to food and cosmetics under (a) of this section.