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In Illinois, meat processors generally fall into three main categories based on their inspection and regulatory status: federally inspected, 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. Below is a summary of each type, including their key features and regulatory oversight. Illinois does not participate in the USDA's Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) program, so state-inspected products cannot be shipped out of state.
These facilities are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (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. Illinois facilities seeking federal inspection apply directly to USDA FSIS, as the state program focuses on intrastate activities.
Operated under the Illinois Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (often referred to as Type 1 establishments), these facilities are licensed and inspected by the IDOA Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection. Inspections occur regularly (often daily for slaughter operations) to ensure standards match or exceed federal requirements, including sanitation protocols and humane handling. Products bear an Illinois-specific inspection mark and can be sold wholesale or retail within Illinois only (intrastate), such as to grocery stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. They cannot be shipped out of state, as Illinois does not participate in the CIS program. This type supports local businesses focused on in-state markets.
These facilities (often referred to as Type 2 establishments or exemptions under Type 1) 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 IDOA but are exempt from routine inspections for wholesomeness (though sanitation inspections still occur, and facilities must comply with basic standards). 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 IDOA Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection for specific applications and site visits. Contact them at (217) 782-6684 or via email at AGR.MPI@illinois.gov. Note that additional exemptions exist for small-scale poultry or rabbit processing (up to 5,000 birds annually), and wild game processing may have separate rules if not mixed with commercial meat.
