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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 9Pt. 3Ch. 4.1Art. 6§ 18991 Livestock Slaughter Inspection Rules

§ 18991 Livestock Slaughter Inspection Rules

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

§ 18991 Livestock Slaughter Inspection Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •A meat inspector checks animals before they are killed to make sure they are healthy. Sick animals are not allowed to be killed for food.
  • •After the animal is killed, the inspector checks the meat to make sure it is safe to eat.
  • •The inspector also checks if the place where the animals are killed is clean before and during the day.
  • •If the place is dirty or the meat is not handled correctly, the inspector can stop them from working until it is fixed.

Example

A cow is brought to a slaughterhouse to be turned into meat.

Before the cow is killed, an inspector checks if it is healthy. If the cow looks sick, it won’t be allowed to be killed for food. After the cow is killed, the inspector checks the meat to make sure it’s safe. If the slaughterhouse is dirty, the inspector can make them stop working until it’s clean.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 18991 Livestock Slaughter Inspection Rules

(a) A licensed livestock meat inspector, in accordance with regulations adopted hereunder, shall conduct antemortem examination of each animal to be slaughtered in a licensed establishment and shall permit the slaughter of apparently healthy animals and withhold from slaughter all animals suspected, as well as those plainly showing evidence, of a disease. Animals so withheld shall be examined by a department employee who shall order the disposition of the animal pursuant to the regulations adopted hereunder. (b) The licensed livestock meat inspector shall conduct a postmortem examination and make dispositions of carcasses and parts thereof in accordance with regulations adopted hereunder. (c) A licensed livestock meat inspector shall conduct a sanitation inspection before the establishment commences operations for the day, and make periodic inspections throughout the day. (d) The licensed livestock meat inspector shall order the establishment not to begin operations or to cease operations at any time that the establishment sanitation fails to meet the requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted thereunder, or at any time any product is not handled, retained, condemned, or disposed of in violation of this chapter or the regulations thereunder. (e) (1) Passed carcasses and parts of cattle, sheep, swine, and goat shall be stamped by the licensed livestock meat inspector or under his or her supervision with an approved California identification number. (2) Passed carcasses and parts of fallow deer slaughtered and prepared for transportation or sale shall be stamped with an approved mark of inspection. (Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 373, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2001.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

licensed livestock meat inspectorantemortem examinationpostmortem examinationsanitation inspectionapproved California identification number

Related Statutes

  • § 18962 Livestock Inspector Examination Rules
  • § 18990 Livestock Meat Inspector Licensing
  • § 19001 Food Processing Sanitation Inspections
  • § 19012 Livestock Inspection Requirements
  • § 19038 Meat Inspection Misrepresentation Ban

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 18991.
View Official Source