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In Tennessee, 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. Tennessee's state program, established under the Tennessee Meat Inspection Act effective in 2025, applies to livestock (cattle, sheep, swine, goats) for intrastate commerce; poultry remains under federal jurisdiction. Tennessee 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. Tennessee facilities seeking federal inspection apply directly to USDA FSIS.
Operated under the Tennessee Meat Inspection Act, these facilities (referred to as establishments) are licensed and inspected by the TDA. 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 Tennessee-specific inspection mark and can be sold wholesale or retail within Tennessee only (intrastate), such as to grocery stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. They cannot be shipped out of state, as Tennessee 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 an annual license from the TDA 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, including game animals.
For starting or operating a facility, consult the TDA for specific applications, including licenses and site visits. Contact them at TN.Agriculture@tn.gov. Note that poultry processing remains under federal inspection, and wild game may be processed under custom exemptions if not mixed with commercial meat.
