Frequently Asked Questions about Processing and Sale - Meat Safety
What must I do to sell meat and/or poultry products to the public?
The answer depends on the purpose of the business. If you are going to sell meat and/or poultry products wholesale, you must get a Grant of Inspection from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Meat Safety Assurance Section (MSA).
Note: "Wholesale" refers to a transaction where you sell the product to someone who then sells the product to the public, or where they use your product in the production of a product for sale to the public.
If you are going to slaughter livestock or poultry, other than your own livestock on your own property, you will need a Grant of Inspection from MSA.
If you are going to sell meat and/or poultry products in retail, you will not need a Grant of Inspection from MSA. You will need a permit from your city or county health department or the DSHS Retail Food Division.
Note: "Retail" refers to a transaction where you sell the product directly to the end consumer. Meat or poultry products sold in retail must be prepared from meat that originated from an "approved source."
Evidence that a meat or poultry product comes from an approved source is the presence of the product of a state (in the shape of Texas) or federal (circle) mark of inspection.