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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have a consumer complaint on some meat
product that I purchased at a grocery store. Whom should
I contact?
Answer
The agency responsible depends on where
the product was produced. If the product was produced
under Federal inspection (it has a circular USDA inspection
legend) contact USDA, Food Inspection Service at (919)
844-8400. If the product was produced at an NCDA &
Consumer Services inspected establishment (trapezoidal-shaped
NCDA & Consumer Services inspection legend), contact
the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division at (919) 733-4136.
If the product was produced at the retail meat market,
you may contact your local county health agency or this
office.
Can thawed meat be frozen?
Answer
All questions concerning the safe handling
and cooking of meats at home can be answered by calling
the toll-free USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
I raise rabbits and want to slaughter
and sell some from my home. Is this legal?
Answer
The NCDA & Consumer Services custom
exemption law allows an individual to slaughter and sell
in intrastate commerce up to 1,000 rabbits per year of
his/her own raising. If in excess of 1,000 are processed,
NCDA & Consumer Services must inspect the facilities
for sanitation. Above 20,000 per year requires full NCDA
& Consumer Services inspection.
I am concerned about food handling practices
at a local restaurant. Whom should I contact?
Answer
All restaurants and retail meat markets
are inspected by local county health departments. Their
number can be found in your phone directory.
I teach school and need a heart from
a pig for a class on anatomy. How may I obtain one?
Answer
Contact the NCDA & Consumer Services
– MPID at (919) 733-4136, and you will be directed to
a slaughterhouse in your area, if you are not already
aware of one. After obtaining permission from the plant,
you will need to send the NCDA & Consumer Services
– MPID office a written request stating your name, address,
specimens needed, purpose for their use, and the plant
from which they will be obtained. We will send you a permit.
When the permit request is approved, you will be allowed
to pick up the specimens for up to a one-year period.
To whom may I refer questions about "door
to door" meat sales companies?
Answer
These businesses are required to be registered
with NCDA & Consumer Services, Meat and Poultry Inspection
Division at (919) 733-4136.
I’m interested in producing a custom
barbecue sauce for sale to the public, as well as a few
baked items. Whom should I contact?
Answer
Contact NCDA & Consumer Services,
Food and Drug Protection Division at (919) 733-7366.
I need to know the health requirements
for raising and selling live animals, such as poultry,
quail, sheep, etc. Whom should I contact?
Answer
Live animal health issues are overseen
by the NCDA & Consumer Services, Veterinary Division
at (919) 733-7601.
Frequently Asked Questions From
Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Questions
on Freezing
Questions
on Ground Beef
Questions on Door
to Door Meat Sales
Questions on
Product Dating
Questions
on Meat and Poultry Grading
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NCDA&CS - Meat and Poultry Inspection Division, Donald H. Delozier , Director
Mailing Address:1001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
Physical Address: 2 West Edenton Street , Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-4136; FAX: (919) 715-0246; TA Office: (919) 733-0167
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