Source: NCDA&CS, 12/5/18

Because of a change in new regulatory interpretation, a state-licensed meat handler is now allowed to produce and package meat and poultry products in a restaurant, retail meat market, shared-use incubator kitchen or other county-inspected facility, carry the products to another location (such as a farmers’ market), and sell them directly to consumers. This process previously was allowed only under a USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service or N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Meat and Poultry Inspection Division inspection, but now is legal for a county-inspected retail market. The new interpretation makes it legal for a county-inspected retail market to sell packaged meat and poultry products to end consumers in locations other than their market, provided the products remain under their control. NCDA&CS Meat and Poultry Inspection Division published a notice, in partnership with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, to explain the new regulatory interpretation and the requirements for meeting this exemption.

To read the notice, click here.