Can You Sell Your Own Beef

2021—How Do I Legally Sell Meat from My Own Livestock and Poultry in Florida?

There is much interest in locally produced foods, only the federal, state, and local regulations tin be confusing. The purpose of this document is to be a "one-stop shop" for Florida residents who want to sell meat and poultry from their own livestock and poultry.

Figure i. Roasted chicken.
Credit: iStock/Thinkstock.com

Which species can be sold?

Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, or equine are defined by the US Section of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) as "acquiescent livestock species." This means the U.s.a. government is accountable for the products from those species (http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fsis-content/net/chief/topics/rulemaking/federal-meat-inspection-deed/federal-meat-inspection-deed) (21 U.s.a.C. § 601–695).

Although technically amenable, no equine are currently being slaughtered nether United states federal inspection.

What is the easiest style to sell meat from my livestock?

One tin can beginning by selling a few animals as "freezer meat."

USDA-FSIS describes this equally the "custom exemption," and information technology tin happen in two ways: the owners of an animal (one) slaughter the animate being themselves or (2) evangelize it to a custom exempt slaughterhouse for slaughter and processing. The meat and by-products cannot exist sold, and the products tin merely be consumed by the owner'south household and nonpaying guests and employees. In either example, having farm liability insurance is recommended.

What if someone wants to slaughter livestock I take sold to them on my farm?

After the animal is sold to a customer, it is their property, and y'all can permit them to slaughter the livestock on your property. If this is an option you cull, you may desire to make disposal of items such as the hide and offal the responsibleness of your customer.

Note that it is not legal for the farmer to assist with the on-subcontract slaughter in any manner. If the farmer does help, they would be viewed past USDA-FSIS as a custom exempt processing facility, which means that the farmer would be working out of compliance.

What is a custom processor?

In general, a custom processor is exempted from a large percentage of FSIS inspection regulations because products cannot be resold and therefore pose a reduced risk to public health. The owners of the livestock pay custom processors to convert a meat animal into a meat product.

There are several federal and state recordkeeping requirements under this exemption, which are addressed in EDIS publication AN204, Custom and Retail Exempt Meat Processing (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an204).

Specifically, an FSIS directive gives the most updated requirements for custom exempt operations (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/policy/fsis-directives/8160.1).

Individuals or establishments who only do custom processing and do not have whatsoever FDACS permits (due east.thousand., a USDA Custom Exempt establishment) do not crave FDACS inspection, and as such exercise not require a HACCP plan.

Where can I have this washed in Florida?

For an updated list of custom exempt facilities in Florida, run into EDIS publication AN248, Custom Exempt Blood-red Meat and/or Poultry Slaughter Facilities in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an248).

Several of the USDA-inspected facilities listed in EDIS publication AN203, USDA-Inspected Livestock Slaughter Facilities in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an203), provide custom slaughter.

I practise not desire livestock slaughtered on my farm, but my customer cannot transport the livestock. What should I practise?

You lot, the livestock producer, can either deliver the brute for them or put them in contact with a local livestock hauler who can do this on a fee-for-service basis.

I accept a very specific demand—I have a cow who has broken her leg and cannot get up and get (i.e., non-convalescent), but the beef is fine. What should I exercise?

If the cow cannot stand up, practice not try to load her or take her to a slaughter facility (custom or FSIS-inspected). A non-ambulatory beefiness fauna at a custom or FSIS-inspected facility will be condemned.

Can I slaughter her myself?

Aye. However, you cannot legally take a field-slaughtered or subcontract-dressed carcass into a custom processor unless the owner of the cattle provides written documentation that the creature was ambulatory at the fourth dimension of slaughter (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-02/8160.1.pdf) (USDA 2007).

An alternative would exist Moses Removal in Ocala, Florida (352-624-2411). The facility will euthanize and pick up downed cows for transportation to rendering facilities.

A custom or inspected processor cannot slaughter a non-ambulatory beef animate being—does this utilize to any other species?

No, only cattle.

Demand for my livestock is growing, and I am considering establishing my ain custom exempt livestock processing facility. What do I demand to do?

You certainly tin do this, and the UF/IFAS Meat Science Extension grouping can help yous to plant a facility. However, there is no departure in building standards betwixt a custom exempt facility, which only receives "periodic review" and whose products are "non for sale," and a fully functional FSIS-inspected facility.

What if I wanted to outset my own USDA-FSIS-inspected cherry meat or poultry processing facility?

In that location are multiple regulations to meet at the local, state, and federal levels.

Mostly, processors must take a facility that (1) has beverage water, (2) has a viable wastewater plan, (three) meets "regulatory operation standards" (which primarily means all surfaces can exist cleaned and sanitized), and (iv) has a validated HACCP plan and approved labels.

Additionally, whatsoever gear up-to-swallow production manufactured nether FSIS inspection must accept a management programme for Listeria monocytogenes every bit described in https://www.fsis.usda.gov/guidelines/2014-0001.

That is a lot of information. What does all of that mean?

The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN; http://world wide web.nichemeatprocessing.org/) has an excellent "How to Get Started" section addressing all facets of a start-upward meat processing business.

Cornell University's Guide to Straight Marketing Livestock and Poultry (http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/) is an splendid starting resources. Specifically, page 19 of that guide provides an fantabulous to-do list to establish a federally inspected facility.

The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) website provides facility and equipment guidelines for federal inspection (https://www.ncagr.gov/MeatPoultry/pdf/Facility%20Guidelines.pdf).

I but want to sell meat from my livestock at my retail shop and/or at a farmers' market place. How can I exercise that?

If your livestock are slaughtered under federal inspection, you can operate as a retail exempt facility. Retail exemption is described in detail in EDIS publication AN204, Custom and Retail Exempt Meat Processing (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an204).

Mostly, yous can sell meat piece-by-piece direct to the end-user from two storefronts without being nether federal inspection. You can even sell a given amount of fresh or frozen meat to nutrient service, but you cannot sell cured, cooked, or smoked product to food service. These products tin only be sold to individual household consumers.

For more than data on federal regulations of retail exempt operations, contact AAMP (http://www.aamp.com/regulations/regulatory-diplomacy/).

What country or local requirements must be met for me to operate a retail exempt facility?

A link to the state requirements for a retail store is on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) website (https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Nutrient/Food-Establishments/Retail-Food-Establishment-Let).

All facilities demand:

At least one employee who has been trained equally a food managing director (http://www.foodprotect.org/media/managercert/cfp-food-director-certification-info-april-2020.pdf);
To meet minimum construction and sanitation standards (https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/64038/file/food_establishment_minimum_construction_standards.PDF);
To encounter h2o and waste management standards (https://world wide web.fdacs.gov/content/download/23984/file/Water%20and%20Sewer%20Requirements%20for%20Food%20Permit%20and%20Initial%20Inspection.pdf); and
A proper food allow, which volition depend upon the kind of retail establishment the business would be defined every bit (https://world wide web.fdacs.gov/content/download/23977/file/food-allow-fees.pdf).

For instance, a facility defined every bit a "meat marketplace" has an annual food permit fee of $455. Individual descriptions of all possible Florida retail food permits are online at https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=5K-4 (click on the Word document for the appropriate food permit, requirement, and fees).

Facilities that vacuum seal, include nitrite, smoke, and/or dehydrate for preservation must have an HACCP plan approved past FDACS. Additionally, an private or establishment who is currently permitted with FDACS and would like to likewise practice custom processing of meat must submit an HACCP plan with all supporting documentation, and obtain a Special Procedure Approval from FDACS earlier they may proceed. An example would be a retail shop that wants to grind deer or custom slaughtered beef at the finish of their normal processing twenty-four hour period. An Industry Guidance fact sail for FDACS-permitted custom processing may be institute at https://world wide web.fdacs.gov/content/download/92253/file/Custom-Creature-Processing-at-Retail-Manufacture-Guidance.pdf.

FDACS-permitted individuals or establishments or those seeking a let may send all custom processing requests to RetailHACCPspa@fdacs.gov.

Additionally, any facility that is permitted by FDACS and would like to procedure wild game (most often deer or feral pigs) or on-farm slaughtered livestock must also have an HACCP plan (http://www.foodprotect.org/issues/packets/2010Packet/attachments/III_019_a.pdf). This is associated with Rule 5K-iv.0050. The application that must accompany your completed HACCP plan tin can exist constitute at http://forms.freshfromflorida.com/14095.pdf.

What are the regulations nearly temperature control and receiving perishable goods?

The FDA food code requires refrigerated foods to be held at or below 41°F, so you should document the temperature of all perishable goods at receiving. Recording temperatures are required if you are using reduced oxygen packaging or other specialized processes that require an HACCP plan.

I need all that just for my retail meat market?

Yes, and you will demand a mobile vendor permit to be able to sell meat at a farmers' market (https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Nutrient/Food-Establishments/Mobile-Nutrient-Vendors).

What if I desire to distribute my products at multiple retail stores or if I want to marketplace the majority of my products to food service?

Those products must exist made entirely under USDA-FSIS inspection. Products that bear a stamp of inspection and an canonical label have no restrictions as to where they can exist marketed domestically.

All of your products will need to have a label canonical by FSIS (https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/FSIS_7234-1_Approval_of_Labels.pdf). Additional guidance on labeling is bachelor at https://www.nichemeatprocessing.org/production-labeling/.

Establishments defined equally "small businesses" are not required to take a nutrition label. A modest concern is any unmarried-plant facility or multi-plant company or business firm that employs 500 or fewer people and produces no more than 100,000 pounds of the product per twelvemonth.

If you practice non own and operate your own facility, finding a USDA-inspected facility willing to work with yous tin exist a stumbling cake. For a list of inspected facilities in Florida, run into EDIS publication AN203, USDA-Inspected Livestock Slaughter Facilities in Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an203).

I heighten poultry, but no crimson meat animals. Is it yet?

Collectively, the steps to market place poultry meat are similar to the steps for reddish meat, simply poultry is under the Poultry Products Inspection Act, not the Federal Meat Inspection Human action. Turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, squab, guinea fowl, and/or ratites (emu, rhea, and ostrich) are recognized past USDA-FSIS every bit "acquiescent poultry" in 9 CFR § 381.1 (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2005-title9-vol2/pdf/CFR-2005-title9-vol2-chapIII-subchapA.pdf).

For the residual of the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 United statesC. § 451–472), visit http://world wide web.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/rulemaking/poultry-products-inspection-acts.

I exercise not take many poultry, but I want to sell meat from my birds. What can I do?

Florida recently adult a let for minor Florida poultry producers. FDACS has an first-class Frequently Asked Questions guide to address this new permit that utilizes the USDA'south 20,000-bird exemption (https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/64357/file/Limited_Poultry_and_Egg_Operation_Requirements.pdf).

Additionally, Florida producers with a Express Poultry and Egg allow can sell products directly to food service for the preparation of meals sold to customers.

A few custom exempt and smaller-scale inspected poultry slaughter facilities exist in Florida: Sealy'south Ark in Dunnellon; Zabahi Meat and Poultry in Orlando; Eddie's Duck & Poultry and Musa Slaughter House in Tampa; Sonshine Poultry in Haines Urban center; and Gray's & Danny's in Moore Oasis. More information tin be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an248.

If you lot slaughter more than than twenty,000 birds per year or more than than 384 birds in i calendar week, or if y'all process purchased poultry for resale in more than one other retail front, these operations are not exempt and must exist conducted under USDA-FSIS inspection.

This publication has focused on state and federal regulations, but be sure to bank check with local, city, or canton government earlier you begin a new project or construction.

Resource

The federal statutes cited for cherry-red meat are nearly easily accessed at this website browsing by title and chapter: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/inspection-programs/inspection-meat-products.

Federal statutes cited for poultry can be accessed at this website: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/rulemaking/poultry-products-inspection-acts.

Well-nigh of the country regulations cited are most easily accessed at this website: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business organisation-Services/Nutrient/Food-Establishments.

References

Carr, C. C., L. Eastward. Eubanks, and R. D. Dijkhuis. 2008a. Custom and Retail Exempt Meat Processing. AN204. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an204

Carr, C. C., L. E. Eubanks, and R. D. Dijkhuis. 2008b. USDA-Inspected Livestock Slaughter Facilities in Florida. AN203. Gainesville: Academy of Florida Establish of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an203

Carr, C. C., and Fifty. E. Eubanks. 2010. Custom Exempt Meat and/or Poultry Slaughter Facilities in Florida. AN248. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an248

Goodsell, One thousand., and T. Stanton. 2011. A Resource Guide to Straight Marketing Livestock and Poultry. Cornell University. Accessed Oct 2014. http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/resources/

Niche Meat Processor Aid Network (NMPAN). 2021. Iowa State and Oregon State Universities. Accessed Baronial 2021. http://www.nichemeatprocessing.org/

USDA. 2003. "Exemptions to Federal Meat Inspection. nine CFR 303.1 Food Safety Inspection Service." Washington, D.C. Accessed October 2014. http://world wide web.admission.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_07/9cfr303_07.html

USDA. 2007a. "Custom Exempt Review Process. 5930 Food Safe Inspection Service." Washington, D.C. Accessed October 2014. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FSISDirectives/5930.1.pdf

USDA. 2007b. "Exemptions for Retail Shop Operations. Food Safety Inspection Service." Washington, D.C. Accessed Oct 2014. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/2007-0009.pdf

USDA. 2007c. "A Guide to Federal Food Labeling Requirements for Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products." Nutrient Safety Inspection Service. Washington, D.C. Accessed October 2014. http://world wide web.fsis.usda.gov/shared/PDF/Labeling_Requirements_Guide.pdf

USDA. 2012. "Summary of Listeria monocytogenes Compliance Guideline for Pocket-size and Very Small Meat and Poultry Plants That Produce Set up-To-Eat Products." Nutrient Safety Inspection Service. Washington, D.C. Accessed October 2014. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/89b36eab-ab09-45d0-8b44-7dd3d412aeca/LM_Guidelines_for_SVSP_Ready_to_Eat_Products.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

USDA. 2013. "FAQs—Cool Labeling Provisions Terminal Rule." Food Prophylactic Inspection Service. Washington, D.C. Accessed October 2014. http://world wide web.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5105133

U.s.a. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). 2009. "FDA Food Code." Accessed Oct 2014. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm188201.htm#parta6-two

caronfescithavers.blogspot.com

Source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AN316