The Minnesota State Meat Inspection Program is responsible for ensuring that meat and poultry processed in the State are both safe and wholesome. Meat and poultry products are an integral part of the food chain. Because these products can be associated with food borne diseases, ensuring that the products produced in Minnesota are safe is an important public health safeguard. This program provides services in the following Program areas:
Many of the requirements for meat processing depend upon what type of operation you will have and who your customers are. If you do multiple activities, you may need more than one kind of inspection. Use the following chart to determine what type of operation you have and then follow the links at the bottom for more information on the requirements you will need to meet.
Meat Processing Inspection
What type of inspection will I need?
| Type of Inspection Needed |
|---|
| Processing meat and poultry products to return to the owner of the animal |
Custom Exempt |
| Processing meat and poultry to be sold to other businesses (convenience stores, groceries, bars, etc) in Minnesota |
State |
| Processing meat and poultry to be sold to other businesses (convenience stores, groceries, bars, etc) across State lines |
USDA |
| Processing meat and poultry from inspected products and selling them out of the retail store only |
Retail Exempt |
Poultry Processing InspectionMany of the same rules and regulations that apply to red meat processing also apply to poultry processing, especially when an establishment is under “Equal To” Inspection or Custom exempt inspection. However, there are many exemptions for poultry producers that dictate which producers need inspection. These exemptions primarily apply to poultry producers who raise their own birds, slaughter them on their farm, and then sell them directly from their farm. For more clarification on whether or not these exemptions apply to you, call 651-201-6027.
Egg InspectionEgg inspection activities are conducted in conjunction with USDA and State regulations. Flock owners with 3,000 or more layers must register under a Federal program called the Shell Egg Surveillance Act. Smaller producers are exempt from registering under the Federal program, however, each producer wishing to sell shell eggs to other businesses for resale must be registered with the State of Minnesota. Exempt egg producers are still required to follow the State regulations for handling and labeling of their eggs.
Meat, Poultry, Egg SafetyMDA Contacts Dairy & Food Inspection Division
651-201-6027 Nicole Neeser, DVM, MPH
Dairy, Meat & Poultry Inspection Program Manager
651-201-6225
nicole.neeser@state.mn.us Teresa Chirhart
Meat & Poultry Inspection Program Supervisor
651-201-6113
teresa.chirhart@state.mn.us John Mitterholzer
Meat Inspection Compliance Officer
651-201-6216
john.mitterholzer@state.mn.us
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