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In New Mexico, 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. The New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) administers the state meat inspection program, which was implemented in 2024 to support local processors. New Mexico 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 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. New Mexico facilities seeking federal inspection apply directly to USDA FSIS.
Operated under the New Mexico State Meat Inspection Program, these facilities are licensed and inspected by the NMLB. 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 New Mexico-specific inspection mark and can be sold wholesale or retail within New Mexico only (intrastate), such as to grocery stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. They cannot be shipped out of state, as New Mexico 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 NMLB 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. The majority of facilities in New Mexico are custom exempt.
For starting or operating a facility, consult the NMLB Meat Inspection for specific applications, including site visits. Contact them at (505) 841-6161 or meatinspection@nmlb.nm.gov. 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. New Mexico's program was established to address limited federal resources and support local processors.
