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In South Carolina, meat processors generally fall into three main categories based on their inspection and regulatory status: federally inspected (via Talmadge-Aiken or TA cooperative), 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 South Carolina Meat-Poultry Inspection Department (SCMPID), under Clemson University's Livestock Poultry Health division, administers the state program since 1967. South Carolina 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 SCMPID enforce federal standards on behalf of the 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. South Carolina facilities seeking federal inspection apply through SCMPID, which coordinates with USDA FSIS.
Operated under the South Carolina Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, these facilities are licensed and inspected by SCMPID. 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 South Carolina-specific inspection mark and can be sold wholesale or retail within South Carolina only (intrastate), such as to grocery stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. They cannot be shipped out of state, as South Carolina 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 a permit from SCMPID 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 permit fee is $25 annually.
For starting or operating a facility, consult SCMPID for specific applications, including label approvals and site visits. Contact them at (803) 788-2260 or via email at scmpid@clemson.edu. A directory of establishments is available on the SCMPID website. Note that wild game processing may have additional exemptions if not mixed with commercial meat, and recent bills (e.g., 2021-2022 Bill 307) have expanded some exemptions for custom processing.
