SECTIONS 18990-18991 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 18990-18991

18990. (a) Each person, before acting as a livestock meat inspector
in a livestock custom slaughterhouse, shall apply to the director
and shall receive from the director a license after passing an
examination and a demonstration that shows the applicant's ability to
understand laws and regulations which pertain to meat inspection and
a practical knowledge of all the following:
(1) Conditions which affect adulteration and wholesomeness of
livestock and livestock products.
(2) The anatomy of livestock.
(3) Sanitary livestock slaughter and dressing procedures.
(4) Sanitation of the facilities and equipment used in custom
livestock slaughterhouses.
(b) Applicants shall not be less than 18 years old.

18991. (a) A licensed livestock meat inspector, in accordance with
regulations adopted hereunder, shall conduct antemortem examination
of each animal to be slaughtered in a licensed establishment and
shall permit the slaughter of apparently healthy animals and withhold
from slaughter all animals suspected, as well as those plainly
showing evidence, of a disease. Animals so withheld shall be examined
by a department employee who shall order the disposition of the
animal pursuant to the regulations adopted hereunder.
(b) The licensed livestock meat inspector shall conduct a
postmortem examination and make dispositions of carcasses and parts
thereof in accordance with regulations adopted hereunder.
(c) A licensed livestock meat inspector shall conduct a sanitation
inspection before the establishment commences operations for the
day, and make periodic inspections throughout the day.
(d) The licensed livestock meat inspector shall order the
establishment not to begin operations or to cease operations at any
time that the establishment sanitation fails to meet the requirements
of this chapter and the regulations adopted thereunder, or at any
time any product is not handled, retained, condemned, or disposed of
in violation of this chapter or the regulations thereunder.
(e) (1) Passed carcasses and parts of cattle, sheep, swine, and
goat shall be stamped by the licensed livestock meat inspector or
under his or her supervision with an approved California
identification number.
(2) Passed carcasses and parts of fallow deer slaughtered and
prepared for transportation or sale shall be stamped with an approved
mark of inspection.