Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
volves proving to state agencies that you maintain a clean, safe facility and handle eggs
using certain safety precautions.
In many states it means you have a rodent-free area set aside specifically for the
washing and cleaning of the eggs. You must also show that you don't reuse egg cartons
and have access to a proper refrigeration system that maintains a constant temperature
of less than 40°F (4°C). Some states have more stringent regulations; most require peri-
odic inspections to examine your facility and enforce the laws. See
chapter 19
, Home
Processing, for more information on egg-selling requirements.
Meats
Laws for processed meat sales also vary from state to state. Whether you can butcher
the birds yourself at home and sell them from your door, or have them processed at a
licensed, inspected facility, is the purview of the particular state in which you reside. In
all cases, before you begin advertising or even raising your animals for the products you
plan to sell, contact the state agricultural agency to determine the regulations that apply
to your venture, so you don't find yourself stuck with fines — and even jail time — for
practices you didn't realize were illegal. Courts are usually lenient on your first offense
but repeat offenders will be prosecuted.
A recent case I'm aware of involved a woman with a rather impressive home-based
poultry butchering business. To my knowledge, she was doing an excellent job in a clean
environment. She had purchased proper equipment, built a special building, and had a
professional-looking setup.
Of course, everyone assumed she had obtained all of the necessary licenses and per-
mits for such an operation, but it turned out that she had failed to get a permit for product
waste disposal. The entire operation was shut down. She was not prosecuted, but had to
agree not to reopen her business.
I've heard tell of another small business fined not only by the Department of Natural
Resources for improper management of wastes but also by the Department of Agricul-
ture. It was determined they were giving the waste products to a fur farmer for feed
and improperly burying the feathers. Additionally, they were fined for not using proper
methods for processing the meat, as the water used for cleaning the equipment and sur-
faces was not hot enough.
EGGS BALUT AND MUD EGGS
