§ 19013 Meat Processing Inspection Requirements

Food and Agricultural Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•You can't run a meat processing place unless the meat is checked by the right people.
•Beef, chicken, and other meats must be inspected by the USDA before being sold.
•Deer meat must be checked at a special slaughterhouse.
•Chicken must be checked under special rules, and the processing must be watched by a licensed inspector.

Example

You open a small shop to sell burgers made from beef you bought from a farm.

Before you can sell those burgers, the beef must be inspected by the USDA. If you skip this step, you're breaking the law and could get in trouble.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 19013 Meat Processing Inspection Requirements

No person shall operate a meat processing establishment unless all livestock and poultry products used in processing and to be sold have been inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture, fallow deer products have been inspected at a custom livestock slaughterhouse, or poultry products have been inspected in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 24951) of Part 1 of Division 12 and the processing of the product is inspected by a licensed processing inspector. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 373, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

meat processing establishment livestock and poultry products inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture fallow deer products custom livestock slaughterhouse Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 24951) of Part 1 of Division 12 licensed processing inspector

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 19013.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References