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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 9Pt. 3Ch. 4Art. 2§ 18693 Federal Meat Inspection Standards

§ 18693 Federal Meat Inspection Standards

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 18693 Federal Meat Inspection Standards

This law says California must follow the same rules as the U.S. government for checking and handling meat and poultry. It also lets California make its own rules, but they can't be weaker than the federal ones.

Key Takeaways

  • •California must follow U.S. rules for meat and poultry safety.
  • •California can add extra rules, but they can't be easier than the federal ones.
  • •The state can work with the U.S. government to enforce these rules.

Example

A chicken farm in California wants to sell chicken to stores.

The farm must follow the same cleanliness and safety rules as farms in other states. If California makes extra rules, they have to be just as strict as the federal ones.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18693 Federal Meat Inspection Standards

The regulations which are adopted pursuant to this chapter shall conform, so far as possible, to the rules, regulations, and standards of the United States Department of Agriculture which govern the inspection, preparation, and processing of livestock and livestock products and poultry and poultry products. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the director may adopt, by regulation, standards and requirements equal to those of the federal acts, including, but not limited to, standards and requirements of inspection, sanitation, reinspection, preparation, processing, buying, selling, transporting, storing, identification, recordkeeping, registration, and labeling. The regulations shall not be less restrictive than state statutory requirements. The director may enter into cooperative agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States to enforce such standards and requirements in this state. (Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1385.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

regulationsUnited States Department of Agricultureinspectionpreparationprocessinglivestockpoultrydirectorstandardsrequirementscooperative agreementsSecretary of Agriculture

Related Statutes

  • § 18669 Livestock Inspection Facilities
  • § 18671 Official Inspection Marks
  • § 33081 Milk Inspection Service Authorization
  • § 33082 Milk Inspection Oversight
  • § 33083 Director'S Enforcement Regulations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 18693.
View Official Source