Source: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml;jsessionid=77296AD8C8042120C03595499BB7C299?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title21-chapter12-subchapter1&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUyMS1zZWN0aW9uNjA3%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2017-05-29 09:37:54
Document Index: 108943883

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§2', '§509', '§107', '§798', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§12106', '§12106', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§12106', '§798', '§20', '§401', '§1', '§1', '§1', '§12106', '§11016', '§12106', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§12106', '§19', '§6', '§604', '§4', '§4', '§1', '§798', '§3', '§605', '§5', '§5', '§1', '§798', '§5', '§606', '§6', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§12106', '§6', '§6', '§1', '§403', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§607', '§7', '§7', '§1', '§509', '§279', '§301', '§11015', '§601', '§3', '§6', '§608', '§8', '§8', '§1', '§798', '§3', '§609', '§9', '§9', '§1', '§403', '§798', '§3', '§403', '§408', '§404', '§403', '§610', '§10', '§10', '§1', '§3', '§5', '§7', '§611', '§11', '§11', '§1', '§8', '§612', '§12', '§11017', '§4', '§11017', '§12', '§12', '§1', '§10418', '§613', '§13', '§11017', '§4', '§11017', '§13', '§13', '§1', '§10418', '§614', '§10418', '§14', '§14', '§1', '§15', '§15', '§1', '§798', '§3', '§616', '§16', '§16', '§1', '§3', '§617', '§17', '§17', '§1', '§798', '§3', '§618', '§18', '§18', '§1', '§10418', '§798', '§12', '§619', '§19', '§19', '§1', '§798', '§9', '§621', '§21', '§21', '§1', '§403', '§798', '§3', '§403', '§622', '§22', '§22', '§1', '§3', '§623', '§23', '§23', '§1', '§1016', '§11', '§624', '§24', '§13', '§625', '§25', '§11016', '§4', '§11016', '§12106']

[USC02] 21 USC CHAPTER 12, SUBCHAPTER I: INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; ADULTERATION AND MISBRANDING
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TITLE 21 / CHAPTER 12 / SUBCHAPTER I
21 USC CHAPTER 12, SUBCHAPTER I: INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; ADULTERATION AND MISBRANDING
From Title 21—FOOD AND DRUGSCHAPTER 12—MEAT INSPECTION
(a) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States or his delegate.
(b) The term "firm" means any partnership, association, or other unincorporated business organization.
(c) The term "meat broker" means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying or selling carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, or meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines on commission, or otherwise negotiating purchases or sales of such articles other than for his own account or as an employee of another person, firm, or corporation.
(d) The term "renderer" means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of rendering carcasses or parts or products of the carcasses, of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, except rendering conducted under inspection or exemption under this subchapter.
(e) The term "animal food manufacturer" means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of manufacturing or processing animal food derived wholly or in part from carcasses, or parts or products of the carcasses, of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines.
(f) The term "State" means any State of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(g) The term "Territory" means Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, and any other territory or possession of the United States, excluding the Canal Zone.
(h) The term "commerce" means commerce between any State, any Territory, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof; or within any Territory not organized with a legislative body, or the District of Columbia.
(i) The term "United States" means the States, the District of Columbia, and the Territories of the United States.
(j) The term "meat food product" means any product capable of use as human food which is made wholly or in part from any meat or other portion of the carcass of any cattle, sheep, swine, or goats, excepting products which contain meat or other portions of such carcasses only in a relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the meat food industry, and which are exempted from definition as a meat food product by the Secretary under such conditions as he may prescribe to assure that the meat or other portions of such carcasses contained in such product are not adulterated and that such products are not represented as meat food products. This term as applied to food products of equines shall have a meaning comparable to that provided in this paragraph with respect to cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.
(k) The term "capable of use as human food" shall apply to any carcass, or part or product of a carcass, of any animal, unless it is denatured or otherwise identified as required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary to deter its use as human food, or it is naturally inedible by humans.
(l) The term "prepared" means slaughtered, canned, salted, rendered, boned, cut up, or otherwise manufactured or processed.
(m) The term "adulterated" shall apply to any carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product under one or more of the following circumstances:
(n) The term "misbranded" shall apply to any carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product under one or more of the following circumstances:
(3) if it is an imitation of another food, unless its label bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word "imitation" and immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated;
(o) The term "label" means a display of written, printed, or graphic matter upon the immediate container (not including package liners) of any article.
(p) The term "labeling" means all labels and other written, printed, or graphic matter (1) upon any article or any of its containers or wrappers, or (2) accompanying such article.
(q) The term "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.]" means the Act so entitled, approved June 25, 1938 (52 Stat. 1040), and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto.
(r) The terms "pesticide chemical," "food additive," "color additive," and "raw agricultural commodity" shall have the same meanings for purposes of this chapter as under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.].
(s) The term "official mark" means the official inspection legend or any other symbol prescribed by regulations of the Secretary to identify the status of any article or animal under this chapter.
(t) The term "official inspection legend" means any symbol prescribed by regulations of the Secretary showing that an article was inspected and passed in accordance with this chapter.
(u) The term "official certificate" means any certificate prescribed by regulations of the Secretary for issuance by an inspector or other person performing official functions under this chapter.
(v) The term "official device" means any device prescribed or authorized by the Secretary for use in applying any official mark.
(w) The term "amenable species" means—
(2) all fish of the order Siluriformes; and
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §1, as added Pub. L. 90–201, §2, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584; amended Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 102–571, title I, §107(14), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4499; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](2), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166; Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(1)(A), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1369; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(1)(A), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2130; Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(a)(1), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 980.)
2014—Subsec. (w)(2). Pub. L. 113–79 added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "catfish, as defined by the Secretary; and".
1992—Par. (m)(2)(D). Pub. L. 102–571 substituted "379e" for "376".
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in par. (n)(10) pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(c), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 982, provided that: "This section [amending this section, sections 606 and 625 of this title, and section 1622 of Title 7, Agriculture, and enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section] and the amendments made by this section shall take effect as if enacted as part of section 11016(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 2130) [amending this section, enacting sections 606 and 625 of this title, repealing former section 606 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes below]."
Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(2)(A), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1369, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(2)(A), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2131, provided that the amendments made by section 11016(b)(1) of Pub. L. 110–234 and section 11016(b)(1) of Pub. L. 110–246 (enacting sections 606 and 625 of this title, amending this section, and repealing former section 606 of this title) would not apply until the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture issued final regulations to carry out such amendments, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(b)(4), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981, effective as if enacted as part of section 11016(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 2130), see Effective Date of 2014 Amendment note above.
Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798(b), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section and sections 603 to 605, 608, 609, 615, and 617 to 621 of this title] shall take effect on the day after the effective date of section 794 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 [section 794 of Pub. L. 109–97, 119 Stat. 2164, effective 120 days after Nov. 10, 2005]."
Pub. L. 90–201, §20, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 601, provided that: "This Act [see Short Title note below] shall become effective upon enactment [Dec. 15, 1967] except as provided in paragraphs (a) through (d):
"(a) The provisions of paragraph (b)(1) and (c) of section 10 and the provisions of section 20 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as amended by sections 7 and 10 of this Act [sections 610 and 620 of this title], and the provisions of section 18 of this Act repealing paragraph (b) of section 306 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [section 1306(b) of Title 19, Customs Duties], shall become effective upon the expiration of sixty days after enactment [Dec. 15, 1967], hereof.
"(b) The provisions of title I of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as amended by this Act [this subchapter], shall become effective with respect to equines (other than horses) and their carcasses and parts thereof, meat, and meat food products thereof upon the expiration of sixty days after enactment [Dec. 15, 1967] hereof.
"(c) Section 11 of this Act, amending section 23, of the Federal Meat Inspection Act [section 623 of this title], shall become effective upon the expiration of sixty days after enactment hereof [Dec. 15, 1967].
"(d) Section 204 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, as added by section 14 of this Act [section 644 of this title], shall become effective upon the expiration of sixty days after enactment hereof [Dec. 15, 1967]."
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §401, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3567, provided that: "This title [amending sections 606, 609, 621, 671, and 676 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 606, 609, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] may be cited as the &apos;Processed Products Inspection Improvement Act of 1986&apos;."
Pub. L. 95–445, §1, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069, provided: "That this Act [amending sections 603, 610, and 620 of this title and sections 1902 and 1904 of Title 7, Agriculture, repealing sections 1903 and 1905 of Title 7, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 603 of this title] may be cited as the &apos;Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978&apos;."
Pub. L. 90–201, §1, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, provided in part: "That this Act [enacting this section and sections 602, 624, 641 to 645, 661, 671 to 680, and 691 of this title, amending sections 603 to 623 of this title, repealing section 96 of this title and section 1306(b) of Title 19, Customs Duties, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section] may be cited as the &apos;Wholesome Meat Act&apos;."
Pub. L. 90–201, §1, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, provided in part that the provisions of act Mar. 4, 1907, as amended, classified to subchapters I to IV–A of this chapter, are designated as the "Federal Meat Inspection Act".
Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(b)(1)–(3), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981, provided that:
"(1) In general.—The Secretary shall—
"(A) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 7, 2014], issue final regulations to carry out the amendments made by section 11016(b)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 2130) [amending this section, enacting sections 606 and 625 of this title, and repealing former section 606 of this title], as further clarified by the amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 606 and 625 of this title, and section 1622 of Title 7, Agriculture, and enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section]; and
"(B) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, implement the amendments described in subparagraph (A).
"(2) Notification.—Beginning 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 30 days thereafter until the date of full implementation of the amendments described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit a report describing the status of implementation to—
"(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;
"(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of the Senate;
"(C) the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
"(D) the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
"(3) Procedure.—Section 1601(c)(2) [7 U.S.C. 9091(c)(2)] applies to the promulgation of the regulations and administration of this section and the amendments made by this section."
Pub. L. 110–246, title XI, §11016(b)(2), as added by Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(b)(4), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981, provided that:
"(A) Regulations.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [Feb. 7, 2014], the Secretary [of Agriculture], in consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue final regulations to carry out the amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending this section, enacting sections 606 and 625 of this title, and repealing former section 606 of this title] and section 12106 of that Act [amending this section, sections 606 and 625 of this title, and section 1622 of Title 7, Agriculture, and enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under this section] in a manner that ensures that there is no duplication in inspection activities.
"(B) Interagency coordination.—Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, the Secretary shall execute a memorandum of understanding with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs for the following purposes:
"(i) To improve interagency cooperation on food safety and fraud prevention, building upon any other prior agreements, including provisions, performance metrics, and timelines as appropriate.
"(ii) To maximize the effectiveness of limited personnel and resources by ensuring that—
"(I) inspections conducted by the Department satisfy requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
"(II) inspections of shipments and processing facilities for fish of the order Siluriformes by the Department and the Food and Drug Administration are not duplicative; and
"(III) any information resulting from examination, testing, and inspections conducted is considered in making risk-based determinations, including the establishment of inspection priorities."
Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(2)(B), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1370, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(2)(B), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2131, required the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to issue final regulations to carry out the amendments made by section 11016(b)(1) of Pub. L. 110–234 and section 11016(b)(1) of Pub. L. 110–246 (enacting sections 606 and 625 of this title, amending this section, and repealing former section 606 of this title) not later than 18 months after June 18, 2008, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(b)(4), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981, effective as if enacted as part of section 11016(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 2130), see Effective Date of 2014 Amendment note above.
Pub. L. 90–201, §19, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 601, provided that: "If any provision of this Act or of the amendments made hereby [see Short Title note above] or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the remaining amendments [see Short Title note above] and of the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby."
Pub. L. 95–445, §6, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1070, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 1978 Amendment note set out under section 601 of this title] shall be construed to prohibit, abridge, or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in order to protect freedom of religion, ritual slaughter and the handling or other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter are exempted from the terms of this Act. For the purposes of this section the term &apos;ritual slaughter&apos; means slaughter in accordance with section 2(b) of the Act of August 27, 1958 (72 Stat. 862; 7 U.S.C. 1902(b))."
§604. Post mortem examination of carcasses and marking or labeling; destruction of carcasses condemned; reinspection
For the purposes hereinbefore set forth the Secretary shall cause to be made by inspectors appointed for that purpose a post mortem examination and inspection of the carcasses and parts thereof of all amenable species to be prepared at any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment in any State, Territory, or the District of Columbia as articles of commerce which are capable of use as human food; and the carcasses and parts thereof of all such animals found to be not adulterated shall be marked, stamped, tagged, or labeled as "Inspected and passed"; and said inspectors shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as "Inspected and condemned" all carcasses and parts thereof of animals found to be adulterated; and all carcasses and parts thereof thus inspected and condemned shall be destroyed for food purposes by the said establishment in the presence of an inspector, and the Secretary may remove inspectors from any such establishment which fails to so destroy any such condemned carcass or part thereof, and said inspectors, after said first inspection, shall, when they deem it necessary, reinspect said carcasses or parts thereof to determine whether since the first inspection the same have become adulterated, and if any carcass or any part thereof shall, upon examination and inspection subsequent to the first examination and inspection, be found to be adulterated, it shall be destroyed for food purposes by the said establishment in the presence of an inspector, and the Secretary may remove inspectors from any establishment which fails to so destroy any such condemned carcass or part thereof.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §4, formerly 2nd par., 34 Stat. 1260; renumbered §4 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, 4, 12(a)–(d), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 72 of this title.
2005—Pub. L. 109–97 substituted "amenable species" for "cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines".
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3, 4, 12(a)–(d), struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" in three places; struck out "for human consumption" before "at any slaughtering" and "for transportation or sale" after "District of Columbia" and inserted "which are capable of use as human food" after "commerce"; included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals; substituted "adulterated" for "unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food" after " &apos;Inspected and condemned,&apos; all carcasses and parts thereof of animals found to be" and before ", it shall be destroyed"; substituted "not adulterated" for "sound, healthful, wholesome, and fit for human food"; and substituted "adulterated" for "unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or in any way unfit for human food" before "and if any carcass", respectively.
§605. Examination of carcasses brought into slaughtering or packing establishments, and of meat food products issued from and returned thereto; conditions for entry
The foregoing provisions shall apply to all carcasses or parts of carcasses of amenable species or the meat or meat products thereof which may be brought into any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, and such examination and inspection shall be had before the said carcasses or parts thereof shall be allowed to enter into any department wherein the same are to be treated and prepared for meat food products; and the foregoing provisions shall also apply to all such products, which, after having been issued from any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, shall be returned to the same or to any similar establishment where such inspection is maintained. The Secretary may limit the entry of carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat and meat food products, and other materials into any establishment at which inspection under this subchapter is maintained, under such conditions as he may prescribe to assure that allowing the entry of such articles into such inspected establishments will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §5, formerly 3rd par., 34 Stat. 1261; renumbered §5 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 5, 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 73 of this title.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§5, 12(a), limited entry of articles into establishments under such prescribed conditions as would be consistent with the purpose of this chapter and included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, respectively.
§606. Inspection and labeling of meat food products
For the purposes hereinbefore set forth the Secretary shall cause to be made, by inspectors appointed for that purpose, an examination and inspection of all meat food products prepared for commerce in any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, and for the purposes of any examination and inspection and inspectors shall have access at all times, by day or night, whether the establishment be operated or not, to every part of said establishment; and said inspectors shall mark, stamp, tag, or label as "Inspected and passed" all such products found to be not adulterated; and said inspectors shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as "Inspected and condemned" all such products found adulterated, and all such condemned meat food products shall be destroyed for food purposes, as hereinbefore provided, and the Secretary may remove inspectors from any establishment which fails to so destroy such condemned meat food products: Provided, That subject to the rules and regulations of the Secretary the provisions of this section in regard to preservatives shall not apply to meat food products for export to any foreign country and which are prepared or packed according to the specifications or directions of the foreign purchaser, when no substance is used in the preparation or packing thereof in conflict with the laws of the foreign country to which said article is to be exported; but if said article shall be in fact sold or offered for sale for domestic use or consumption then this proviso shall not exempt said article from the operation of all the other provisions of this chapter.1
(b) Certain fish
In the case of an examination and inspection under subsection (a) of a meat food product derived from any fish described in section 601(w)(2) of this title, the Secretary shall take into account the conditions under which the fish is raised and transported to a processing establishment.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §6, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(1)(B), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1369, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(1)(B), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2131; amended Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(a)(2), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981.)
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), probably should have been a reference to this Act in the original, meaning the Federal Meat Inspection Act, titles I to V of act Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, as added Dec. 15, 1967, Pub. L. 90–201, 81 Stat. 584, which are classified generally to subchapters I to IV–A of this chapter.
Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections and repealed former section 6 of act Mar. 4, 1907. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
A prior section 606, acts Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §6, formerly 4th par., 34 Stat. 1261; renumbered §6 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, 12(e), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(a), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3567, was formerly classified to section 74 of this title and was repealed by Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(1)(B), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1369, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(1)(B), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2131. Prior to repeal, section read as follows: "For the purposes hereinbefore set forth the Secretary shall cause to be made, by inspectors appointed for that purpose, an examination and inspection of all meat food products prepared for commerce in any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, and for the purposes of any examination and inspection and inspectors shall have access at all times, by day or night, whether the establishment be operated or not, to every part of said establishment; and said inspectors shall mark, stamp, tag, or label as &apos;Inspected and passed&apos; all such products found to be not adulterated; and said inspectors shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as &apos;Inspected and condemned&apos; all such products found adulterated, and all such condemned meat food products shall be destroyed for food purposes, as hereinbefore provided, and the Secretary may remove inspectors from any establishment which fails to so destroy such condemned meat food products: Provided, That subject to the rules and regulations of the Secretary the provisions of this section in regard to preservatives shall not apply to meat food products for export to any foreign country and which are prepared or packed according to the specifications or directions of the foreign purchaser, when no substance is used in the preparation or packing thereof in conflict with the laws of the foreign country to which said article is to be exported; but if said article shall be in fact sold or offered for sale for domestic use or consumption then this proviso shall not exempt said article from the operation of all the other provisions of this chapter."
2014—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 113–79 added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In the case of an examination and inspection under subsection (a) of a meat food product derived from catfish, the Secretary shall take into account the conditions under which the catfish is raised and transported to a processing establishment."
Amendment by Pub. L. 113–79 effective as if enacted as part of section 11016(b) of Pub. L. 110–246, see section 12106(c) of Pub. L. 113–79, set out as a note under section 601 of this title.
Enactment of this section and repeal of former section 6 of act Mar. 4, 1907, and Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.
§607. Labeling, marking, and container requirements
(a) Labeling receptacles or coverings of meat or meat food products inspected and passed; supervision by inspectors
When any meat or meat food product prepared for commerce which has been inspected as hereinbefore provided and marked "Inspected and passed" shall be placed or packed in any can, pot, tin, canvas, or other receptacle or covering in any establishment where inspection under the provisions of this chapter is maintained, the person, firm, or corporation preparing said product shall cause a label to be attached to said can, pot, tin, canvas, or other receptacle or covering, under the supervision of an inspector, which label shall state that the contents thereof have been "inspected and passed" under the provisions of this chapter; and no inspection and examination of meat or meat food products deposited or inclosed in cans, tins, pots, canvas, or other receptacle or covering in any establishment where inspection under the provisions of this chapter is maintained shall be deemed to be complete until such meat or meat food products have been sealed or inclosed in said can, tin, pot, canvas, or other receptacle or covering under the supervision of an inspector.
(b) Information on articles or containers; legible form
All carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat and meat food products inspected at any establishment under the authority of this subchapter and found to be not adulterated, shall at the time they leave the establishment bear, in distinctly legible form, directly thereon or on their containers, as the Secretary may require, the information required under paragraph (n) of section 601 of this title.
(c) Labeling: type styles and sizes; definitions and standards of identity or composition; standards of fill of container; consistency of Federal and Federal-State standards
The Secretary, whenever he determines such action is necessary for the protection of the public, may prescribe: (1) the styles and sizes of type to be used with respect to material required to be incorporated in labeling to avoid false or misleading labeling in marketing and labeling any articles or animals subject to this subchapter or subchapter II of this chapter; (2) definitions and standards of identity or composition for articles subject to this subchapter and standards of fill of container for such articles not inconsistent with any such standards established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], and there shall be consultation between the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services prior to the issuance of such standards under either Act relating to articles subject to this chapter to avoid inconsistency in such standards and possible impairment of the coordinated effective administration of these Acts. There shall also be consultation between the Secretary and an appropriate advisory committee provided for in section 661 of this title, prior to the issuance of such standards under this chapter, to avoid, insofar as feasible, inconsistency between Federal and State standards.
(d) Sales under false or misleading name, other marking or labeling or in containers of misleading form or size; trade names, and other marking, labeling, and containers approved by Secretary
No article subject to this subchapter shall be sold or offered for sale by any person, firm, or corporation, in commerce, under any name or other marking or labeling which is false or misleading, or in any container of a misleading form or size, but established trade names and other marking and labeling and containers which are not false or misleading and which are approved by the Secretary are permitted.
(e) Use withholding directive respecting false or misleading marking, labeling, or container; modification of false or misleading matter; hearing; withholding use pending proceedings; finality of Secretary's action; judicial review; application of section 194 of title 7
If the Secretary has reason to believe that any marking or labeling or the size or form of any container in use or proposed for use with respect to any article subject to this subchapter is false or misleading in any particular, he may direct that such use be withheld unless the marking, labeling, or container is modified in such manner as he may prescribe so that it will not be false or misleading. If the person, firm, or corporation using or proposing to use the marking, labeling or container does not accept the determination of the Secretary, such person, firm, or corporation may request a hearing, but the use of the marking, labeling, or container shall, if the Secretary so directs, be withheld pending hearing and final determination by the Secretary. Any such determination by the Secretary shall be conclusive unless, within thirty days after receipt of notice of such final determination, the person, firm, or corporation adversely affected thereby appeals to the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which such person, firm, or corporation has its principal place of business or to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The provisions of section 194 of title 7 shall be applicable to appeals taken under this section.
The Secretary, consistent with United States international obligations, shall establish standards for the labeling of sheep carcasses, parts of sheep carcasses, sheepmeat, and sheepmeat food products.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §7, formerly 5th par., 34 Stat. 1262; renumbered §7 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(a), 6, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588; Pub. L. 96–88, title V, §509(b), Oct. 17, 1979, 93 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 104–127, title II, §279, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 979.)
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675, 52 Stat. 1040, which is classified generally to chapter 9 (§301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 301 of this title and Tables.
Either Act and these Acts, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), mean the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Federal Meat Inspection Act is titles I to V of act Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, as added Pub. L. 90–201, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, and Pub. L. 110–246, title XI, §11015(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 2124, which are classified generally to subchapters I to IV–A (§601 et seq.) of this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note under section 601 of this title and Tables.
Section was formerly classified to section 75 of this title.
1996—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 104–127 added subsec. (f).
1967—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–201, §§3(a), 6(a), (b), struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and provisions prohibiting sales of meat or meat food products in interstate or foreign commerce under any false or deceptive names and permitting trade names or names which are usual to such products and are not false and deceptive and are approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, now incorporated in subsec. (d), and designated remaining provisions as subsecs. (a), respectively.
Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 90–201, §6(c), added subsecs. (b) to (e).
"Secretary of Health and Human Services" substituted for "Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare" in subsec. (c)(2) pursuant to section 509(b) of Pub. L. 96–88, which is classified to section 3508(b) of Title 20, Education.
§608. Sanitary inspection and regulation of slaughtering and packing establishments; rejection of adulterated meat or meat food products
The Secretary shall cause to be made, by experts in sanitation or by other competent inspectors, such inspection of all slaughtering, meat canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishments in which amenable species are slaughtered and the meat and meat food products thereof are prepared for commerce as may be necessary to inform himself concerning the sanitary conditions of the same, and to prescribe the rules and regulations of sanitation under which such establishments shall be maintained; and where the sanitary conditions of any such establishment are such that the meat or meat food products are rendered adulterated, he shall refuse to allow said meat or meat food products to be labeled, marked, stamped or tagged as "inspected and passed."
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §8, formerly 6th par., 34 Stat. 1262; renumbered §8 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, 12(a), (f), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 76 of this title.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3, 12(a), (f), struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and "of Agriculture" after "Secretary", included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, and substituted "adulterated" for "unclean, unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food", respectively.
§609. Examination of animals and food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared during nighttime
The Secretary shall cause an examination and inspection of all amenable species, and the food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared in the establishments hereinbefore described for the purposes of commerce to be made during the nighttime as well as during the daytime when the slaughtering of said amenable species, or the preparation of said food products is conducted during the nighttime.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §9, formerly 7th par., 34 Stat. 1262; renumbered §9 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(1), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 77 of this title.
2005—Pub. L. 109–97 substituted "amenable species" for "cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines" in two places.
1986—Pub. L. 99–641 temporarily inserted ", except as provided in section 606 of this title," after first reference to "other equines, and". See Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment note below.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3, 12(a), struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" and included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, respectively.
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(1), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective only during the 6-year period beginning Nov. 10, 1986.
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §408, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3571, provided that:
"(a) General Effective Date.—Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this title and the amendments made by this title [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1986].
"(b) Temporary Application of Existing Law.—Sections 6, 9, and 21 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 606, 609, and 621), as in effect immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1986], shall apply with respect to establishments until the Secretary of Agriculture first issues rules and regulations to implement the amendments made by section 403(a) [amending section 606 of this title]."
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §404, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3571, provided that: "The expiration date provisions of section 403 [enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall not have the effect of releasing or extinguishing any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), as amended by section 403 [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title], or under the rules or regulations issued under such Act."
Inspection Services for Establishments Not Participating in Total Plant Quality-Control Program
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(e), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall not be construed to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to refuse to provide inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) at an establishment solely because such establishment does not participate in a total plant quality-control program."
§610. Prohibited acts
No person, firm, or corporation shall, with respect to any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, or any carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat or meat food products of any such animals—
(a) Slaughtering animals or preparation of articles capable of use as human food
slaughter any such animals or prepare any such articles which are capable of use as human food at any establishment preparing any such articles for commerce, except in compliance with the requirements of this chapter;
slaughter or handle in connection with slaughter any such animals in any manner not in accordance with the Act of August 27, 1958 (72 Stat. 862; 7 U.S.C. 1901–1906);
(c) Sales, transportation, and other transactions
sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, in commerce, (1) any such articles which (A) are capable of use as human food and (B) are adulterated or misbranded at the time of such sale, transportation, offer for sale or transportation, or receipt for transportation; or (2) any articles required to be inspected under this subchapter unless they have been so inspected and passed;
(d) Adulteration or misbranding
do, with respect to any such articles which are capable of use as human food, any act while they are being transported in commerce or held for sale after such transportation, which is intended to cause or has the effect of causing such articles to be adulterated or misbranded.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §10, formerly 8th par., 34 Stat. 1262; renumbered §10 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 7, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 589; Pub. L. 95–445, §3, Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069.)
Sections 1903 and 1905 of Title 7, included within reference to Act of August 27, 1958, were repealed by Pub. L. 95–445, §5(b), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1069, effective as set forth in section 7 of Pub. L. 95–445, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 603 of this title.
Section was formerly classified to section 78 of this title.
1978—Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 95–445 added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §7, included the list of animals and prohibited, except in compliance with requirements of this chapter, slaughtering animals or preparation of articles capable of use as human food, sales, transportation, and other transactions, and acts of adulteration or misbranding, incorporating in subsec. (b)(2) existing prohibition on distributions in interstate or foreign commerce of noninspected articles.
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–445 effective one year after Oct. 10, 1978, and an additional eighteen month period thereafter in hardship cases, see section 7 of Pub. L. 95–445, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 603 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–201 effective Dec. 15, 1967, except that subsecs. (b)(1) and (c) of this section effective upon expiration of sixty days after Dec. 15, 1967, see section 20(a) of Pub. L. 90–201, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.
§611. Devices, marks, labels, and certificates; simulations
(a) Devices to be made under authorization of Secretary
No brand manufacturer, printer, or other person, firm, or corporation shall cast, print, lithograph, or otherwise make any device containing any official mark or simulation thereof, or any label bearing any such mark or simulation, or any form of official certificate or simulation thereof, except as authorized by the Secretary.
(b) Other misconduct
No person, firm, or corporation shall—
(4) knowingly possess, without promptly notifying the Secretary or his representative, any official device or any counterfeit, simulated, forged, or improperly altered official certificate or any device or label or any carcass of any animal, or part or product thereof, bearing any counterfeit, simulated, forged, or improperly altered official mark;
(6) knowingly represent that any article has been inspected and passed, or exempted, under this chapter when, in fact, it has, respectively, not been so inspected and passed, or exempted.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §11, formerly 9th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §11 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 8, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 589.)
Section was formerly classified to section 79 of this title.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §8, clarified application to brand manufacturers and printers of existing prohibition against counterfeiting official marks, labels or certificates, the provisions with respect to forgery, unauthorized use or failure to use official marks, or similar items, and similar offenses, and existing prohibitions with respect to false statements in official or nonofficial certificates, and added restriction upon possession of official devices, or devices, labels, meat, or other articles bearing counterfeit official marks, counterfeit official certificates, or similar items, and prohibition against false representations.
§612. Notification
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §12, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11017(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1370, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11017(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2132.)
A prior section 612, acts Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §12, formerly 10th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §12 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592, related to inspection of animals for export, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10418(a)(19), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 508. Section was formerly classified to section 80 of this title.
§613. Plans and reassessments
The Secretary shall require that each establishment subject to inspection under this chapter shall, at a minimum—
(1) prepare and maintain current procedures for the recall of all meat or meat food products produced and shipped by the establishment;
(2) document each reassessment of the process control plans of the establishment; and
(3) upon request, make the procedures and reassessed process control plans available to inspectors appointed by the Secretary for review and copying.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §13, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11017(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1370, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11017(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2132.)
A prior section 613, acts Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §13, formerly 11th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §13 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592, related to inspectors of animals for export and certificates of condition, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10418(a)(19), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 508. Section was formerly classified to section 81 of this title.
§614. Repealed. Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10418(a)(19), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 508
Section, acts Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §14, formerly 12th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §14 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592, prohibited clearance to vessel carrying animals for export without inspector's certificate. Section was formerly classified to section 82 of this title.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §15, formerly 13th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §15 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3(b), 12(a), struck out "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" and included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, respectively.
§616. Inspectors of carcasses, etc., meat of which is intended for export; certificates of condition
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §16, formerly 14th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §16 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592.)
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3(b), 12(a), struck out "of Agriculture" after "Secretary", and included horses, mules, or other equines in the list of animals.
§617. Clearance prohibited to vessel carrying meat for export without inspector's certificate
No clearance shall be given to any vessel having on board any fresh, salted, canned, corned, or packed beef, mutton, pork, goat or equine meat for export to and sale in a foreign country from any port in the United States, until the owner or shipper thereof shall obtain from an inspector appointed under the provisions of this chapter a certificate that the said amenable species were sound and healthy at the time of inspection, and that their meat is sound and wholesome, unless the Secretary shall have waived the requirements of such certificate for the country to which said amenable species or meats are to be exported.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §17, formerly 15th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §17 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), (g), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 85 of this title.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3(b), 12(a), (g), struck out "of Agriculture" after "Secretary", included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, and substituted "goat or equine meat" for "or goat meat, being the meat of animals killed after March 4, 1907, or except as hereinbefore provided", respectively.
§618. Delivery of inspectors&apos; certificates, and of copies
The inspectors provided for under this subchapter shall be authorized to give official certificates of the condition of the carcasses and products of amenable species; and one copy of every certificate granted under the provisions of this chapter shall be filed in the Department of Agriculture, another copy shall be delivered to the owner or shipper, and when the amenable species, or their carcasses and products are sent abroad, a third copy shall be delivered to the chief officer of the vessel on which the shipment shall be made.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §18, formerly 16th par., 34 Stat. 1263; renumbered §18 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 12(a), (h), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 592; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10418(b)(4), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 508; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
"Provided for under this subchapter" was in the original "provided for herein".
Section was formerly classified to section 86 of this title.
2002—Pub. L. 107–171 substituted "of the carcasses and products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines" for "of the cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines, their carcasses and products as described in this subchapter".
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §12(a), (h), included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals and struck out "sound and wholesome" before "conditions", respectively.
§619. Marking, labeling, or other identification to show kinds of animals from which derived; separate establishments for preparation and slaughtering activities
No person, firm, or corporation shall sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, in commerce, any carcasses of species designated by regulations in effect on the day before November 10, 2005, or parts of such carcasses, or the meat or meat food products thereof, unless they are plainly and conspicuously marked or labeled or otherwise identified as required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary to show the kinds of animals from which they were derived. When required by the Secretary, with respect to establishments at which inspection is maintained under this subchapter, such animals and their carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products shall be prepared in establishments separate from those in which other amenable species are slaughtered or their carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products are prepared.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §19, formerly 17th par., 34 Stat. 1264; renumbered §19 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 9, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 590; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](3), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 87 of this title.
2005—Pub. L. 109–97 substituted "species designated by regulations in effect on the day before November 10, 2005," for "horses, mules, or other equines" and "other amenable species" for "cattle, sheep, swine, or goats".
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §9, substituted provisions for marking, labeling, or other identification of kinds of animals whence the articles are derived and for separate establishments for preparation and slaughtering activities for prohibition against transportation or sale of meat or meat food products without complying with inspection provisions. See section 610(b) of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L, 90–201 effective Dec. 15, 1967, except that with respect to equines (other than horses) and their carcasses and parts thereof, meat, and meat food products thereof, amendment effective upon expiration, of sixty days after Dec. 15, 1967, see section 20(b) of Pub. L. 90–201, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.
§621. Inspectors to make examinations provided for; appointment; duties; regulations
The Secretary shall appoint from time to time inspectors to make examination and inspection of all amenable species, inspection of which is hereby provided for and of all carcasses and parts thereof, and of all meats and meat food products thereof, and of the sanitary conditions of all establishments in which such meat and meat food products hereinbefore described are prepared; and said inspectors shall refuse to stamp, mark, tag, or label any carcass or any part thereof, or meat food product therefrom, prepared in any establishment hereinbefore mentioned, until the same shall have actually been inspected and found to be not adulterated; and shall perform such other duties as are provided by this chapter and by the rules and regulations to be prescribed by said Secretary; and said Secretary shall, from time to time, make such rules and regulations as are necessary for the efficient execution of the provisions of this chapter, and all inspections and examinations made under this chapter, shall be such and made in such manner as described in the rules and regulations prescribed by said Secretary not inconsistent with provisions of this chapter.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §21, formerly 19th par., 34 Stat. 1264; renumbered §21 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3(b), 12(a), (i), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592, 593; Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(2), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)
Section was formerly classified to section 89 of this title.
1986—Pub. L. 99–641 temporarily substituted "thereof, and of meat food products" for "and meat food products", which substitution was made for the first such reference as the probable intent of Congress. See Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment note below.
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3(b), 12(a), (i), struck out "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" in four places, included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, and substituted "not adulterated" for "sound, healthful, wholesome, and fit for human food, and to contain no dyes, chemicals, preservatives, or ingredients which render such meat food product unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or unfit for human food; and to have been prepared under proper sanitary conditions, hereinbefore provided for", respectively.
Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(2), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective only during the 6-year period beginning on Nov. 10, 1986.
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–641 effective Nov. 10, 1986, except that this section as in effect immediately before Nov. 10, 1986, applies with respect to establishments until the Secretary of Agriculture first issues rules and regulations to implement the amendments made by section 403(a) of Pub. L. 99–641 to section 606 of this title, see section 408 of Pub. L. 99–641, set out as a note under section 609 of this title.
§622. Bribery of or gifts to inspectors or other officers and acceptance of gifts
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §22, formerly 20th par., 34 Stat. 1264; renumbered §22 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588.)
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §3, struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and "of Agriculture" after "Secretary".
§623. Exemptions from inspection requirements
(a) Personal slaughtering and custom slaughtering for personal, household, guest, and employee uses
The provisions of this subchapter requiring inspection of the slaughter of animals and the preparation of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at establishments conducting such operations for commerce shall not apply to the slaughtering by any person of animals of his own raising, and the preparation by him and transportation in commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of such animals exclusively for use by him and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees; nor to the custom slaughter by any person, firm, or corporation of cattle, sheep, swine or goats delivered by the owner thereof for such slaughter, and the preparation by such slaughterer and transportation in commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of such animals, exclusively for use, in the household of such owner, by him and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees; nor to the custom preparation by any person, firm, or corporation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products, derived from the slaughter by any person of cattle, sheep, swine, or goats of his own raising, or from game animals, delivered by the owner thereof for such custom preparation, and transportation in commerce of such custom prepared articles, exclusively for use in the household of such owner, by him and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees: Provided, That in cases where such person, firm, or corporation engages in such custom operations at an establishment at which inspection under this subchapter is maintained, the Secretary may exempt from such inspection at such establishment any animals slaughtered or any meat or meat food products otherwise prepared on such custom basis: Provided further, That custom operations at any establishment shall be exempt from inspection requirements as provided by this section only if the establishment complies with regulations which the Secretary is hereby authorized to promulgate to assure that any carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products wherever handled on a custom basis, or any containers or packages containing such articles, are separated at all times from carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products prepared for sale, and that all such articles prepared on a custom basis, or any containers or packages containing such articles, are plainly marked "Not for Sale" immediately after being prepared and kept so identified until delivered to the owner and that the establishment conducting the custom operation is maintained and operated in a sanitary manner.
(b) Territorial exemption; refusal, withdrawal, or modification
The Secretary may, under such sanitary conditions as he may by regulations prescribe, exempt from the inspection requirements of this subchapter the slaughter of animals, and the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products, by any person, firm, or corporation in any Territory not organized with a legislative body solely for distribution within such Territory when the Secretary determines that it is impracticable to provide such inspection within the limits of funds appropriated for administration of this chapter and that such exemption will otherwise facilitate enforcement of this chapter. The Secretary may refuse, withdraw, or modify any exemption under this subsection in his discretion whenever he determines such action is necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(c) Pizzas containing meat food products
(1) Under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe through rules and regulations issued under section 624 of this title that may be necessary to ensure food safety and protect public health such as special handling procedures, the Secretary shall exempt pizzas containing a meat food product from the inspection requirements of this chapter if—
(A) the meat food product components of the pizzas have been prepared, inspected, and passed in a cured or cooked form as ready-to-eat in compliance with the requirements of this chapter; and
(d) Adulteration and misbranding provisions applicable to inspection-free articles
The adulteration and misbranding provisions of this subchapter, other than the requirement of the inspection legend, shall apply to articles which are exempted from inspection or not required to be inspected under this section.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §23, formerly 21st, 22nd pars., 34 Stat. 1265; June 29, 1938, ch. 810, 52 Stat. 1235; renumbered §23 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 11, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 591; Pub. L. 91–342, July 18, 1970, 84 Stat. 438; Pub. L. 102–237, title X, §1016(a), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1902.)
1991—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 102–237 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).
1970—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 91–342 changed proviso so as to permit custom slaughterers to conduct a separate inspected meat business, continued the exemption for owners to slaughter and process their own animals for their own use, authorized the Secretary to exempt custom slaughtering and processing performed by an inspected establishment, and required that custom slaughtered articles be clearly marked "not for sale".
1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §11, substituted provisions for personal, custom, and territorial slaughtering exemptions and for application of adulteration and misbranding provisions to inspection-free articles for farmer definition and retail butcher and retail dealer exemption provisions.
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–201 effective upon expiration of sixty days after Dec. 15, 1967, see section 20(c) of Pub. L. 90–201, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.
Secretary to issue final rules no later than Aug. 1, 1992, to implement exemption authorized by subsec. (c) of this section, see section 1016(c) of Pub. L. 102–237, set out as a note under section 464 of this title.
§624. Storage and handling regulations; violations; exemption of establishments subject to non-Federal jurisdiction
The Secretary may by regulations prescribe conditions under which carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, capable of use as human food, shall be stored or otherwise handled by any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, selling, freezing, storing, or transporting, in or for commerce, or importing, such articles, whenever the Secretary deems such action necessary to assure that such articles will not be adulterated or misbranded when delivered to the consumer. Violation of any such regulation is prohibited. However, such regulations shall not apply to the storage or handling of such articles at any retail store or other establishment in any State or organized Territory that would be subject to this section only because of purchases in commerce, if the storage and handling of such articles at such establishment is regulated under the laws of the State or Territory in which such establishment is located, in a manner which the Secretary, after consultation with the appropriate advisory committee provided for in section 661 of this title, determines is adequate to effectuate the purposes of this section.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §24, as added Pub. L. 90–201, §13, Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 593.)
§625. Inapplicability of certain requirements to catfish
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the requirements of sections 603, 604, 605, 610(b), and 623 of this title shall not apply to any fish described in section 601(w)(2) of this title.
(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §25, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title XI, §11016(b)(1)(C), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1369, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title XI, §11016(b)(1)(C), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2131; amended Pub. L. 113–79, title XII, §12106(a)(3), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 981.)
2014—Pub. L. 113–79 substituted "not apply to any fish described in section 601(w)(2) of this title." for "not apply to catfish."