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In Delaware, meat processors generally fall into three main categories based on their inspection and regulatory status: federally inspected (under the Talmadge-Aiken or TA cooperative program), state inspected, and custom exempt. These distinctions determine what the processors can do with the meat (e.g., sell interstate, sell intrastate, or process for personal use only). Regulations ensure food safety, humane handling, and proper labeling, with state standards required to be "at least equal to" federal ones. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) Food Products Inspection Section administers the state program through a cooperative agreement with USDA FSIS, where state inspectors enforce federal standards for interstate commerce. Delaware does not participate in the USDA's Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, so state-inspected products cannot be shipped out of state. Below is a summary of each type, including their key features and regulatory oversight.
These facilities are inspected under the Talmadge-Aiken Act cooperative agreement, where state inspectors from the DDA enforce federal standards on behalf of USDA FSIS. They undergo rigorous daily inspections during operations to verify compliance with federal standards for slaughter, processing, sanitation, and humane handling. Products from these processors receive a USDA inspection mark and can be sold and shipped across state lines (interstate commerce), including to other states or through mail order. This is suitable for operations targeting national markets. Delaware facilities seeking federal inspection apply through the DDA, which coordinates with USDA FSIS.
Operated under the Delaware Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, these facilities are licensed and inspected by the DDA. Inspections occur regularly (often daily for slaughter operations) to ensure standards match or exceed federal requirements, including sanitation protocols and humane handling. Products bear a Delaware-specific inspection mark and can be sold wholesale or retail within Delaware only (intrastate), such as to grocery stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. They cannot be shipped out of state, as Delaware does not participate in the CIS program. This type supports local businesses focused on in-state markets.
These facilities process meat exclusively for the animal owner's personal or household use (including non-paying guests and employees), not for commercial sale. They require approval from the DDA but are exempt from routine inspections for wholesomeness (though sanitation inspections still occur, and facilities must comply with basic standards like humane handling). Products are marked "Not for Sale" and returned to the owner; selling them is illegal. This is common for farmers, hunters, or individuals processing their own livestock.
For starting or operating a facility, consult the DDA Food Products Inspection Section for specific applications, including site visits and compliance audits. Contact them at (302) 698-4500 or via the website. Note that wild game processing may have additional exemptions if not mixed with commercial meat, and poultry follows similar rules with federal exemptions for small-scale operations.
