Poultry Inspection Act

This act regulates the slaughter, processing, storage, transportation, and sale of poultry products intended for human food, establishing a licensing system under which persons engaged in these activities must apply for and hold a license, pay fees, keep records open to examination, and maintain sanitary facilities certified by the state. It provides for mandatory ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of poultry by state inspectors, requires proper labeling, marking, and branding of inspected products, and governs the separate handling of dead, dying, disabled, or diseased birds and articles not intended for human food. Enforcement mechanisms include the power to refuse or withdraw inspection, suspend or revoke licenses, issue citations and summonses, administer oaths, conduct investigations and hearings, and prosecute violations — including forgery of official marks and bribery of inspectors — along with authority to enter into cooperative compacts with the federal government and other states.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.