Operating plants and meat processing facilities
Learn regulations and guidelines for establishing and maintaining your business, including plant layout examples, inspection requirements, and exemptions
Plants can be categorized as wholesale inspection or custom exempt.
Services
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Our Meat & Poultry Inspection (MPI) program, authorized by the Meat & Poultry Inspection Law ( RS 3:4201 ), ensures the wholesomeness and safety of meat and poultry slaughtered and processed in Louisiana.
Species requiring inspection
Species that require inspection under the law are called "amenable species:"
Cattle
Chickens (domestically raised)
Ducks
Equine (not currently funded)
Geese
Goats
Guineas
Ratites (emu, ostrich, rhea)
Sheep
Squabs (young pigeons from one to about 30 days of age)
Swine
Turkeys
Meat inspection personnel enforce regulations for inspecting all livestock and poultry slaughtered and processed in state-inspected facilities. Inspectors also ensure that meat and poultry processing operations meet federal guidelines.
The Program’s Compliance Officers conduct surveillance and investigations of consumer complaints and suspected violations of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Law on products moving in commerce.
Our MPI program operates an accredited laboratory that analyzes meat and poultry product samples for accuracy in labeling and adulteration. The program reviews and approves all meat and poultry product labels to assure that accurate product information is supplied to the consumer. The program also offers a voluntary grading program for meat products using standards from the Agricultural Marketing Service and seafood inspection through the US Department of Commerce.
Species not requiring inspection
Non-amenable species are not subject to federal meat inspection, though might be subject to FDA and Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) regulation. They include:
Alligator
Antelope
Bison
Crawfish
Deer (farm raised)
Elk
Fish
Game birds, such as quail and pheasant (domestically raised)
Rabbit ( see processing rabbits )
Reindeer
Waterfowl, such as swans (domestically raised)
Read this introduction to our meat and poultry inspection program , then follow these steps to apply:
Contact the Meat & Poultry Inspection Program Office at (225) 922-1358 to inform them you intend to apply for inspection.
Complete this application in English (online) or solicitud en español (enviar por correo)
When your application is processed, you’ll be put in contact with a District Supervisor in your area. Next:
Learn inspection requirements from your District Supervisor.
Review the new plant checklist .
Complete a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) training class.
Prepare your HACCP and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) plans.
Have any private well water source for your facility tested through the local health authority and obtain a copy of the test results.
Obtain a letter of approval from the local health authority for your facility’s sewage/sanitary wastewater system.
Get assigned an establishment number.
Submit product labels to the Meat & Poultry Inspection Program for approval and receive a grant of inspection.
Rabbit and other small animals
Rabbit, game birds, and other small animals are not addressed in the Federal Meat Inspection Act, so they fall under the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) rather than LDAF or USDA. See: LDH Parish Health Units Map to find contact information for your parish’s Sanitarian.
Also see LDH Small Animal Slaughterhouse and LDH General Food Manufacturing .
New meat plant checklist
Inspection requirements for new meat plants
Facility guidelines
Guidelines to assist in the building or remodeling of meat processing establishments.
Example slaughter layout
Example of a slaughter layout for an inspected meat plant.
Example meat processing layout
Example of a processing layout for an inspected meat plant.
Example slaughter and meat processing layout
Example of a slaughter and processing layout for an inspected meat plant.
Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network
Community of practice of people and organizations helping small meat processors thrive.
Custom exemption quick reference guide
Overview of requirements for custom exemption, which exempts meat and poultry processors from federal inspection.
Facility guidelines
Guidelines to assist in the building or remodeling of meat processing establishments.
Sanitation Regulations 416.1 - 416.6
Sanitation Standard Operation Procedures (SSOPs). Includes establishment grounds and facilities, equipment and utensils, sanitary operations, employee hygiene, and tagging insanitary equipment, utensils, rooms, or compartments.
Poultry exempt startup packet
Compiled resources for people starting a poultry slaughter or processing facility. Includes the poultry exemption checklist, facility guidelines, exemption options, powerpoint about poultry exemptions, and an example facility layout.
Poultry exemption checklist
List of poultry exemption requirements, including items like processing operations, water supply, sewage and waste disposal, pest control, and weighing, packing, and labeling.
Poultry exemptions Powerpoint
Slide deck about poultry exemptions under the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act.
Example poultry layout
Example of a layout for an exempt poultry facility.
Facility guidelines for poultry exemptions
Guidelines for poultry slaughter and processing operations.
Poultry Products Inspection Act
Federal law related to poultry product inspection.
The US Department of Commerce (USDC) Seafood Inspection program is designed to inspect for specific seafood criteria as set forth in USDC guidelines. The program utilizes LDAF cross-trained licensed inspectors who issue Lot Inspection Certificates, Export Health Certificates, Certificates of Origin, and other USDC certificates. Personnel also perform sanitation inspections on a contract basis. Sanitation inspections of facilities are performed on an hourly contract basis.
To file a complaint or inquiry related to meat inspection, contact the LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection Program by phone, email, or mail. Please provide as much information as possible to allow us to better assist you with your issue, including your contact information.
Contact info
In accordance with federal and state laws, LDAF is prohibited from discrimination in its programs and services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, disability (including blindness), medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and political affiliation.
To file a complaint of discrimination, contact the LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection Program main office or write to:
Director, LDAF Meat & Poultry Inspection 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 4003 Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Alternately, you may contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at (866) 632-9992 (toll-free) or write to:
USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-9410
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
See USDA poster: Justice for All
Contact info
Our policy is to provide meaningful access to individuals who wish to access our programs and services regardless of their national origin or limited ability to speak, read, write or understand English. Both TTY/TDD and voice users may initiate calls through the Louisiana Relay Directory by dialing 711 or by contacting them directly at Louisiana Relay .
Individuals speaking Spanish may dial 225-922-1359 to leave a voicemail request and email address.
Las personas que hablan español pueden llamar al 225-922-1359 para dejar una petición de correo de voz y correo electrónico.
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