USDA 

... 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Food Safety and 

Inspection Service 

Office of Field 

Operations 

Denver District Office 

1 Denver Federal 

Center, Bldg. 45 

P.O. Box 25387 

Denver, CO 80225 

Voice (303) 236-9800 

Fax (303) 236-9794 

June 3, 2022 

SENT VIA FEDEX & 

ELECTRONIC MAIL 

Todd Elsberry, Owner 

Chris Miller, Plant Manager 

Alaska Meat Packers Inc., 

Establishment 20891 M/P/V 

12110 Business Blvd. #12 

Eagle River, AK 99577 

chris@alaskameatpackers.com 

DENIAL OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES 

Mr. Elsberry, 

This letter confirms the verbal notification provided to your establishment, Alaska 

Meat Inc., Est. 20891 M/P/V, located in Palmer, AK, on June 3, 2022, by the Food 

Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Denver District, of the denial of voluntary 

inspection service of exotic animals at your establishment. Jenifer Monteverde, 

Deputy District Manager, verbally notified you of the denial of services. This action 

was initiated in accordance with Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR) 

Part 352.6(a)(5). 

Background Authority 

The Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA) Title 7 of the United States Code (7 USC) Part 

1622(h) provides that the Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to provide 

voluntary reimbursable inspection services to establishments which apply for and 

request such services. Further, the AMA 7 USC Part 1622(i) provides that the 

Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to determine the needs and develop methods 

of operating facilities for the proper handling of agricultural products, including 

livestock and poultry. The regulations issued under the AMA, including 9 CFR Part 

352, provides FSIS the authority to deny and withdraw voluntary reimbursable 

inspection services for exotic animals. 

Title 9 CFR Part 352.10 states, in part, “Humane handling of an exotic animal 

during antemortem inspection shall be in accordance with the provisions contained 

in 9 CFR 313.2” and in Part 352.10(a)(5), “Stunning to render the animal 

unconscious shall be in accordance with 9 CFR 313.15 or 313.16.” 9 CFR Part 

352.6(a)(5) states FSIS may deny or withdraw inspection services to an 

establishment, “for the use of operating procedures which are not in accordance 

with the regulations of this part.” 

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaska Meat Packers Incorporated, Est. 20891 M/P/V Denial of Voluntary Services 

Finding/Basis for Action 

On Friday, June 3, 2022, FSIS Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) documented in a Memorandum 

of Interview (MOI) the following event at Est. M20891: 

“At approximately 8:35 am, June 3, Est. 20891 put a mature bull yak into the squeeze chute and 

shot it in the head with a .38 caliber pistol. The initial stun was ineffective and the knocker 

continued to shoot it with the same pistol approximately 15 times, about 45 seconds between 

shots, until it finally collapsed. In between shots I was able to look and see that the yak was still 

standing, blinking, and tossing its head. After it collapsed, it was shackled and hung up to be 

bled out at approximately 9:00 am. I did not witness all of the shots as I was behind a wall for 

safety. The knock box was tagged with US Reject tag number B33527573 and all further 

voluntary slaughter is on hold.” 

Summary 

Based on the findings listed above FSIS has concluded that the denial of voluntary services is 

warranted for failure to meet regulatory requirements in accordance with 9 CFR 352.10. 

The denial of voluntary services will remain in effect until such time as you provide the Denver 

District Office adequate written corrective actions and preventative measures to ensure that 

exotic species at your establishment are handled and slaughtered humanely, and in accordance 

with 9 CFR 352.10 regulations. 

These should include: 

• A written description of the incident. 

• The root cause of the incident 

• Your immediate corrective actions. 

• Your specific corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence of the noncompliance. 

• Any training or retraining of employees you plan to provide, including materials you’re 

planning to use. 

• Any monitoring procedures, including any documentation records. 

You may appeal this action by contacting: 

Paul Wolseley 

Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations 

Office of Field Operations 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

United States Department of Agriculture 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Room 1329, South Building 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

Tel: 202-708-9506 

Paul.Wolseley@usda.gov 

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Alaska Meat Packers Incorporated, Est. 20891 M/P/V Denial of Voluntary Services 

In addition, you may also request a hearing regarding this determination pursuant to the USDA 

Rules of Practice 7 CFR 1.131(b)(1) by contacting: 

Scott C. Safian 

Director, Enforcement Operations Staff 

Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit 

Food Safety and Inspection Service 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Stop Code 3753, SB – Room 2148 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, D.C. 20250 

Office: (202) 418-8872 

Fax: (202) 245-5097 

If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may contact the Denver District Office at 

(303)236-9800. 

Sincerely, 

REEDER 

Date 

-06'00 

Digitally signed by ROBERT ROBERT 2022 06 03 14 14 16 REEDER ' 

Dr. Robert Reeder 

District Manager 

USDA FSIS OFO 

Denver District Office 

Robert.Reeder@usda.gov 

cc: Est. File 

J. Monteverde, DDM 

D. James, DDM 

J. VanHook, DDM 

(b) (6)

S. Baucher, RD/OIEA 

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