Poultry Processing

Guidance on Poultry Processing Exemptions

In 2014, the 108th Tennessee General Assembly enacted Public Chapter 523 clarifying that poultry producers and growers acting in compliance with federal exemptions are exempt by regulation from specific provisions of the Tennessee Meat and Poultry Inspection Act.

The amended law also requires the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to maintain information concerning federal poultry producer and grower exemptions on its website.

Please refer to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service's Guidance for Determining Whether a Poultry Slaughter or Processing Operation is Exempt from Inspection Requirements of the Poultry Products Inspection Act for specific guidance and limitations.