Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN)
NMPAN is a network and information hub for the benefit of supporting and growing small meat processing operations. NMPAN offers tools and information for small processors, producers, marketers, and meat buyers, including a listserv, webinars.
State of Connecticut Tools for Processors
Connecticut Department of Agriculture Small Poultry Processor Inspection Program Compliance Guide
Provides information on the Connecticut Department of Agriculture inspection program for poultry producers who are exempt from federal poultry regulations, but want to operate a poultry slaughter facility and sell poultry to consumers and restaurants in accordance with Section 4 of Public Act 10-103 (codified as Connecticut General Statute section 22-326t).
Farmers’ Guide to Selling Meat or Poultry in Connecticut
This guide is an overview of the regulations(state and federal) for processing and selling meat and poultry in Connecticut.
USDA/FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Service) Tools for Processors
USDA/FSIS regional office
Philadelphia, PA (District 60)
States: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Ms. Susan Scarcia, DM (215) 430-6302
Susan.Scarcia@fsis.usda.gov
Dr. Larry Davis, DDM (215) 430-6304
Larry.Davis4@fsis.usda.gov
Mr. Michael Osifat, DDM (215) 430-6218
Michael.Osifat@fsis.usda.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Mellon Independence Center
701 Market Street, Suite 4100A
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: (215) 597-4219
Fax: (215) 597-4217
24-Hour Emergency: 1-800-637-6681, enter 6
Admin. Functions: Ms. Robin Way (215) 430-6238
If you process meat:
Information for custom slaughter of meat
If you process poultry:
Poultry Products Inspection Act
Information for exempted poultry operations and custom slaughter
Apply for a Grant of Inspection
Unless your operation qualifies for an exemption from either the Federal Meat Products Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act, in order to process (including slaughter) and wholesale meat and poultry, you must first obtain a grant of inspection from the USDA/FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Service).
Information for all USDA/FSIS inspected meat/poultry processors
USDA/FSIS HACCP (Meat and Poultry Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Programs (Link to page on this site….)
Small Plant Help Desk
The Small Plant Help Desk’s toll-free number is 1-877-FSIS-HELP or 1-877-374-7435. Staff is available 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Also available by e-mail: InfoSource@fsis.usda.gov.
The Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) of USDA provides many resources for small meat and poultry plant operators in order to help plants with limited resources to comply with federal rules.
Email Subscription Service
Subscribe here to receive email updates that include, but are not limited to:
Information about careers in USDA/FSIS
Information about recalls, including open cases, retailers, and archives
News releases
Constituent updates
Small Plant News, a newsletter
Information about regulations and policies including compliance guides, plant directory, new technologies
Federal register notices, proposed, interim and final rules
Export and import information
Regulations, Directives and Notices
Social media including Twitter
The Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) developed askFSIS so that all FSIS employees, industry, and consumers could ask questions and get current information about regulations, notices, directives, or other Agency policies. If you cannot find an answer on currently posted Q&As, you may submit a question through askFSIS. FSIS will send the answer directly to the poster. However, FSIS may post some answers, once edited to be useful for the general audience. Those who post questions are not identified.
Here you will find FSIS labeling guidance and policies for meat, poultry and egg products.
FSIS provides information to producers and agricultural businesses to help them maintain compliance with federally defined regulations for their establishments. Go here for information about:
Compliance guides
Conducting a recall
Enforcement actions
Food defense planning
Food Safety Assessments
HACCP
Humane handling
Labeling/label approval
Listeria resources
Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and E. coli O157:H7 resources
Salmonella resources
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Specified Risk Materials resources
New technologies
Regulatory and other education videos
Mobile Slaughter Unit Compliance Guide
This guideline is for owners/managers of a new or existing red meat or poultry mobile slaughter units (MSU) who want their establishment to come under Federal inspection and continue operations in accordance with Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulations.
Information for those processing non-amenable species
Non-amenable species are exotic species including bison, domestic rabbits, domestic deer, pheasant, quail and captive raised waterfowl. Voluntary inspection is handled under the "Agriculture Marketing Act." For more information, see Inspection and Grading.
Some states have inspection programs for non-amenable meats, but Connecticut does not. USDAFSIS voluntary inspection is recommended. Or, the processor must follow rules and regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even if inspected voluntarily by FSIS, interstate sale of non-amenable species would be covered by FDA regulations.
Retail meat and poultry operations/Butcher shops
FSIS policies relating to retail store that engage in the operations of cutting up, slicing, and trimming of carcasses, halves, quarters, or wholesale cuts into retail cuts such as steaks, chops, and roasts, and freezing such cuts; grinding and freezing products made from meat; breaking bulk shipments of products; or wrapping or rewrapping such products in the preparation of retail products for sale to other household consumers.
FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in Retail Delicatessens
Though, not under the jurisdiction of USDA/FSIS, this guidance document was recently published to provide specific actions that retailers can take in the delicatessen (deli) area to decrease the potential for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)growth or cross-contamination.
Industry associations
The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), is North America’s largest meat trade organization. Membership includes medium-sized and smaller meat, poultry and food businesses: slaughterers, packers, processors, wholesalers, in-home food service business, retailers, deli and catering operators, and industry suppliers. AAMP is also affiliated with 30 state, regional and provincial meat trade organizations. Membership dues are $200 per operation per year.)
The closest regional affiliate is the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors, which welcomes members from Connecticut.
North American Meat Institute (NAMI)
NAMI is an industry membership organization that provides legislative, regulatory, public relations, and media support to the industry and its membership. It conducts research via its foundation and provides education and networking opportunities for members.