State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > California > Fac > 18950-18952FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 18950-18952
18950. The Legislature finds and declares that: (a) Sausage products and cured and smoked meat products which are processed and sold at retail meat processing establishments and custom slaughtered carcasses are an important source of the food supply in California; and it is essential and in the public interest that the health and welfare of consumers of these products are protected by ensuring that meat, both slaughtered and processed, is wholesome and not adulterated. (b) Meat processing establishments and custom slaughter establishments exempt from federal inspection have been required to be inspected in California. (c) There is a public demand for specialty meat food products and there has been an increase in the number of meat processing establishments manufacturing these products. (d) Specialty meat food products are sold and displayed in meat markets and are difficult to distinguish from United States Department of Agriculture inspected and passed products. 18951. The Legislature further finds and declares that: (a) A significant number of persons raise their own animals or purchase their animals alive and then have them slaughtered. (b) Rather than have their animals slaughtered under unsanitary conditions, those persons would prefer to have their animals slaughtered at sanitary slaughter establishments and have an informed determination made as to the fitness of the carcasses and parts for food. (c) With the reduction in number of United States Department of Agriculture inspected slaughter plants in California, there has been a substantial increase in small custom slaughter houses to serve that need. 18952. The objectives of this chapter are to require sanitation and wholesomeness inspection at licensed custom slaughter establishments and licensed meat processing establishments exempt from federal inspection and to provide a cost-effective program using trained and licensed establishment personnel under department supervision.
