These Mississippi statutes regulate meat products, animal slaughter, inspection and branding. Animals to be slaughtered must examined and slaughtered humanely, which means being “rendered insensible to pain... before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast or cut.” Meat and meat products must be labeled “Mississippi inspected and passed.” Any violation of the provisions may result in imprisonment and/or a fine.
Chapter 35. Meat Inspection. Article 1. Inspection Requirements; Adulteration and Misbranding.
§ 75-35-1 . Short title
§ 75-35-3 . Definitions
§ 75-35-5 . Purpose
§ 75-35-7 . Inspection of cattle and other hooved livestock before entrance into slaughtering establishments; procedures for diseased animals; inspection for humane slaughter
§ 75-35-8 . Humane slaughter
§ 75-35-9 . Post-mortem examination and labeling of carcasses; treatment of adulterated carcasses; liability of inspectors
§ 75-35-11 . Examination of carcasses for slaughtering or similar establishments
§ 75-35-13 . Inspection of products prepared in slaughtering establishments
§ 75-35-15 . Labeling of receptacles; false or misleading labeling
§ 75-35-17 . Sanitary inspection; slaughtering establishments
§ 75-35-19 . Examination of slaughtered products
§ 75-35-21 . Prohibited acts
§ 75-35-23 . Unauthorized use of marks and labels
§ 75-35-25 . Labeling and preparation of horse and mule carcasses
§ 75-35-27 . Duties of inspectors
§ 75-35-29 . Penalties for bribery of inspectors or other officers
§ 75-35-31 . Application of inspection requirements; exemptions
§ 75-35-33 . Conditions prescribed for storage and handling
Article 3. Meat Processors and Related Industries
§ 75-35-101 . Inspections; establishments preparing certain products not for human food
§ 75-35-103 . Records
§ 75-35-105 . Registration with commissioner
§ 75-35-107 . Dead, dying, or diseased animals
Article 5. Federal and State Cooperation
§ 75-35-201 . Cooperation with federal agencies
Article 7. Auxiliary Provisions
§ 75-35-301 . Refusal or withdrawal of inspection services; fitness to engage in business; convictions for violations of laws
§ 75-35-303 . Detention of adulterated or misbranded carcasses or meat food products
§ 75-35-305 . Seizure and condemnation of carcasses; grounds; bond
§ 75-35-307 . Chancery court jurisdiction
§ 75-35-309 . Penalty for impeding persons; performing of official duties
§ 75-35-311 . Violations; fines and imprisonment
§ 75-35-313 . Commissioner; investigation; intrastate commerce
§ 75-35-315 . Attendance of witnesses; documentary evidence
§ 75-35-317 . Penalty for failure to give testimony and provide evidence; fines; imprisonment
§ 75-35-319 . Application of chapter
§ 75-35-321 . Authorization of appropriations
§ 75-35-323 . Existing statutes not repealed
§ 75-35-325 . Administrative procedures concerning fines and other penalties
§ 75-35-327 . Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 321, § 11, eff. March 16, 2009
This chapter shall be designated as the “Mississippi Meat Inspection Law of 1968.”
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 33, eff. July 1, 1968.
As used in this chapter, except as otherwise specified, the following terms shall have the meanings stated below:
(a) The term “commissioner” means the “commissioner of agriculture and commerce of the State of Mississippi”, or his duly authorized deputies.
(b) The term “firm” means any partnership, association, or other unincorporated business organization.
(c) The term “meat broker” means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying or selling carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, or meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines on commission, or otherwise negotiating purchases or sales of such item or products other than for his own account or as an employee of another person, firm, or corporation.
(d) The term “renderer” means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of rendering carcasses, or parts or products of the carcasses, of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, except rendering conducted under inspection under Article 1 of this chapter.
(e) The term “animal food manufacturer” means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of manufacturing or processing animal food derived wholly or in part from carcasses or parts or products of the carcasses, of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines.
(f) The term “unfit for human food” means as defined in the “Meat, Meat-Food and Poultry Regulation and Inspection Law of 1960”, appearing in subsection (c) of section 75-33-3, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(g) The term “meat food product” means any product capable of use as human food which is made wholly or in part from any meat or other portion of the carcass of any cattle, sheep, swine, or goats, excepting products which contain meat or other portions of such carcasses only in a relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the meat food industry, and which are exempted from definition as a meat food product by the commissioner under such conditions as he may prescribe to assure that the meat or other portions of such carcasses contained in such product are not adulterated and that such products are not represented as meat food products. This term as applied to food products of equines shall have a meaning comparable to that provided in this paragraph with respect to cattle, sheep, swine, and goats.
(h) The term “capable of use as human food” shall apply to any carcass, or part or product of a carcass, of any animal, unless it is denatured or otherwise identified as required by regulations prescribed by the commissioner to deter its use as human food, or it is naturally inedible by humans.
(i) The term “prepare” means slaughtered, canned, salted, rendered, boned, cut up, or otherwise manufactured or processed.
(j) The term “adulterated” shall apply to any carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product under one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) if it bears or contains any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render it injurious to health; but in case the substance is not an added substance, such article shall not be considered adulterated under this clause if the quantity of such substance in or on such item or product does not ordinarily render it injurious to health;
(2)(A) if it bears or contains (by reason of administration of any substance to the live animal or otherwise) any added poisonous or added deleterious substance (other than one which is (i) a pesticide chemical in or on a raw agricultural commodity; (ii) a food additive; or (iii) a color additive) which may, in the judgment of the commissioner, make such item or product unfit for human food;
(B) if it is, in whole or in part, a raw agricultural commodity and such commodity bears or contains a pesticide chemical which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended;
(C) if it bears or contains any food additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended;
(D) if it bears or contains any color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of Section 706 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: provided, that an article which is not adulterated under clause (B), (C), or (D) shall nevertheless be deemed adulterated if use of the pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive in or on such item or product is prohibited by regulations of the commissioner in establishments at which inspection is maintained under Article 1 of this chapter;
(3) if it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance or is for any other reason unsound, unhealthful, unwholesome, or otherwise unfit for human food;
(4) if it has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health;
(5) if it is, in whole or in part, the product of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter; or which was diseased or was in a dying condition at the time of slaughter;
(6) if its container is composed, in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health;
(7) if it has been intentionally subjected to radiation, unless the use of the radiation was in conformity with a regulation or exemption in effect pursuant to Section 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;
(8) if any valuable constituent has been in whole or in part omitted or abstracted therefrom; or if any substance has been substituted, wholly or in part therefor; or if damage or inferiority has been concealed in any manner; or if any substance has been added thereto or mixed or packed therewith so as to increase its bulk or weight, or reduce its quality or strength, or make it appear better or of greater value than it is; or
(9) if it is margarine containing animal fat and any of the raw material used therein consisted in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance.
(k) The term “misbranded” shall apply to any carcass, part thereof, meat or meat food product under one or more of the following circumstances:
(1) if its labeling is false or misleading in any particular;
(2) if it is offered for sale under the name of another food;
(3) if it is an imitation of another food, unless its label bears, in type of uniform size and prominence, the word “imitation” and immediately thereafter, the name of the food imitated;
(4) if its container is so made, formed, or filled as to be misleading;
(5) if in a package or other container unless it bears a label showing (A) the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; and (B) an accurate statement of the quantity of the contents in terms of weight, measure, or numerical count; provided, that under clause (B) of this subparagraph (5), reasonable variations may be permitted, and exemptions as to small packages may be established, by regulations prescribed by the commissioner.
(6) if any word, statement, or other information required by or under authority of this chapter to appear on the label or other labeling is not prominently placed thereon with such conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, designs, or devices, in the labeling) and in such terms as to render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary conditions of purchase and use;
(7) if it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a definition standard of identity or composition has been prescribed by regulations of the commissioner under section 75-35-15 of this chapter unless (A) it conforms to such definition and standard, and (B) its label bears the name of the food specified in the definition and standard and, insofar as may be required by such regulations, the common names of optional ingredients (other than spices, flavoring, and coloring) present in such food;
(8) if it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a standard or standards of fill of container have been prescribed by regulations of the commissioner under section 75-35-15 of this chapter, and it falls below the standard of fill of container applicable thereto, unless its label bears, in such manner and form as such regulations specify, a statement that it falls below such standard;
(9) if it is not subject to the provisions of subparagraph (7), unless its label bears (A) the common or usual name of the food, if any there be, and (B) in case it is fabricated from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings, and colorings may, when authorized by the commissioner, be designated as spices, flavorings, and colorings without naming each: provided, that to the extent that compliance with the requirements of clause (B) of this subparagraph (9) is impracticable, or results in deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner;
(10) if it purports to be or is represented for special dietary uses, unless its label bears such information concerning its vitamin, mineral, and other dietary properties as the commissioner, after consultation with the secretary of agriculture of the United States, determines to be, and by regulations prescribes as, necessary in order fully to inform purchasers as to its value for such uses;
(11) if it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, or chemical preservative, unless it bears labeling stating that fact: provided, that, to the extent that compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph (11) is impracticable, exemptions shall be established by regulations promulgated by the commissioner; or
(12) if it fails to bear, directly thereon or on its container, as the commissioner may by regulations prescribe, the inspection legend and, unrestricted by any of the foregoing, such other information as the commissioner may require in such regulations to assure that it will not have false or misleading labeling and that the public will be informed of the manner of handling required to maintain the item or product in a wholesome condition.
(l) The term “label” means a display of written, printed, or graphic matter upon the immediate container (not including package liners) of any item or product.
(m) The term “labeling” means all labels and other written, printed, or graphic matter (1) upon any item or product or any of its containers or wrappers, or (2) accompanying such item or product.
(n) The term “Federal Meat Inspection Act” means the act so entitled approved March 4, 1907 (34 Stat 1260), as amended by the Wholesome Meat Act (8 Stat 584).
(o) The term “Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act” means the act so entitled, approved June 25, 1938 (52 Stat 1040), and acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto.
(p) The term “pesticide chemical”, “food additive”, “color additive”, and “raw agricultural commodity” shall have the same meanings for purposes of this chapter as under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
(q) The term “official mark” means the official inspection legend or any other symbol prescribed by regulations of the commissioner to identify the status of any product or animal under this chapter.
(r) The term “official inspection legend” means any symbol prescribed by regulations of the commissioner showing that an item or product was inspected and passed in accordance with this chapter.
(s) The term “official certificate” means any certificate prescribed by regulations of the commissioner for issuance by an inspector or other person performing official functions under this chapter.
(t) The term “official device” means any device prescribed or authorized by the commissioner for use in applying any official mark.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 1, eff. July 1, 1968.
Meat and meat food products are an important source of the nation's total supply of food. It is essential in the public interest that the health and welfare of consumers be protected by assuring that meat and meat food products distributed to them are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged. Unwholesome, adulterated, or misbranded meat or meat food products are injurious to the public welfare, destroy markets for wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged meat and meat food products, and result in sundry losses to livestock producers and processors of meat and meat food products, as well as injury to consumers. The unwholesome, adulterated, mislabeled, or deceptively packaged products can be sold at lower prices and compete unfairly with the wholesome, not adulterated, and properly labeled and packaged products, to the detriment of consumers and the public generally. It is hereby found that regulation by the commissioner and cooperation by this state and the United States as contemplated by this chapter are appropriate to protect the health and welfare of consumers and otherwise effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 2, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-7. Inspection of cattle and other hooved livestock before entrance into slaughtering establishments; procedures for diseased animals; inspection for humane slaughter
(a) For the purpose of preventing the use in intrastate-commerce, as hereinafter provided, of meat and meat food products which are adulterated, the commissioner shall cause to be made, by inspectors appointed for that purpose, an examination and inspection of all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equine before they shall be allowed to enter into any slaughtering, packing, meat canning, rendering, or similar establishment in this state in which slaughtering and preparation of meat and meat food products of such animals are conducted; and all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equine found on such inspection to show symptoms of disease shall be set apart and slaughtered separately from all other cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equine, and when so slaughtered, the carcasses of said cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equine shall be subject to a careful examination and inspection, all as provided by the rules and regulations to be prescribed by the commissioner as herein provided for.
(b) For the purpose of preventing the inhumane slaughtering of livestock, the commissioner shall cause to be made, by inspectors appointed for that purpose, an examination and inspection of the method by which cattle, sheep, swine, ratites, nontraditional livestock, rabbits, goats, horses, mules and other equine are slaughtered and handled in connection with slaughter in the slaughtering establishments inspected under this article. The commissioner may refuse to provide inspection to a new slaughtering establishment or may cause inspection to be suspended temporarily at a slaughtering establishment if the commissioner finds that any cattle, sheep, swine, ratites, nontraditional livestock, rabbits, goats, horses, mules or other equine have been slaughtered or handled in connection with slaughter at such establishment by any method not in accordance with Sections 75-35-21(d) and 75-35-8 until the establishment furnishes assurances satisfactory to the commissioner that all slaughtering and handling in connection with slaughter of livestock shall be in accordance with such a method.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 3, eff. July 1, 1968. Amended by Laws 2006, Ch. 345, § 2, eff. July 1, 2006.
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Derivation:
Code 1942, § 4575-153.
(1) For purposes of this chapter, the following methods of slaughtering and handling are declared to be humane:
(a) In the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, ratites, nontraditional livestock, rabbits and other livestock, all animals are to be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or by an electrical, chemical or other means which is rapid and effective before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast or cut; or
(b) By slaughtering and handling in connection with such slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Jewish faith or any other religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument.
(2) In addition to the methods prescribed in subsection (1) of this section, the commissioner may designate as humane any methods of slaughtering and handling which have been so designated by the United States Secretary of Agriculture on or before April 7, 1981, pursuant to United States Code Section 7-1904. The commissioner is further authorized to designate as humane other methods of slaughtering and handling which have been demonstrated by research, investigation and experimentation to be humane with reference to the speed and scope of slaughtering operations and with reference to other existing methods and then current scientific knowledge.
CREDIT(S)
Added by Laws 2006, Ch. 345, § 1, eff. July 1, 2006.
§ 75-35-9. Post-mortem examination and labeling of carcasses; treatment of adulterated carcasses; liability of inspectors
For the purposes hereinbefore set forth, the commissioner shall cause to be made by inspectors appointed for that purpose, as hereinafter provided, a post-mortem examination and inspection of the carcasses and parts thereof of all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines, capable of use as human food, to be prepared at any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment in this state in which such products are prepared. The carcasses and parts thereof of all such animals found to be not adulterated shall be marked, stamped, tagged, or labeled, as “Inspected and Passed”, or appropriate stamp or markings. Said inspectors shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as “Inspected and Condemned”, or appropriate stamp or markings, all carcasses and parts thereof of animals found to be adulterated; and all carcasses and parts thereof thus inspected and condemned shall be destroyed for food purposes by the said establishment in the presence of an inspector. The commissioner may remove inspectors from any such establishment which fails to so destroy any such condemned carcass or part thereof. Said inspectors, after said first inspection shall, when they deem it necessary, reinspect said carcasses or parts thereof to determine whether since the first inspection the same have become adulterated, and if any carcass or any part thereof shall, upon examination and inspection subsequent to the first examination and inspection, be found to be adulterated, it shall be destroyed for food purposes by the said establishment in the presence of an inspector; and the commissioner may remove inspectors from any establishment which fails to so destroy any such condemned carcass or part thereof.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 4, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-11. Examination of carcasses for slaughtering or similar establishments
The foregoing provisions shall apply to all carcasses or parts of carcasses of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines or the meat or meat products thereof, capable of use as human food, which may be brought into any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, where inspection under this article is maintained, and such examination and inspection shall be had before the said carcasses or parts thereof shall be allowed to enter into any department wherein the same are to be treated and prepared for meat food products. The foregoing provisions shall also apply to all such products which, after having been issued from any such slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, shall be returned to the same or to any similar establishment where such inspection is maintained. The commissioner may limit the entry of carcasses, part of carcasses, meat and meat food products, and other materials into any establishment at which inspection under this article is maintained, under such conditions as he may prescribe to assure that allowing the entry of such items or products into such inspected establishments will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 5, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-13. Inspection of products prepared in slaughtering establishments
For the purposes hereinbefore set forth, the commissioner shall cause to be made by inspectors appointed for that purpose an examination and inspection of all meat food products prepared in any slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishment, where such products are prepared, and for the purposes of an examination and inspection said inspectors shall have access at all times, by day or night, whether the establishment be operated or not, to every part of said establishment. Said inspectors shall mark, stamp, tag, or label as “Mississippi inspected and passed” or appropriately mark all such products found to be not adulterated; and said inspectors shall label, mark, stamp, or tag as “Mississippi inspected and condemned” or appropriately mark all such products found adulterated. All such condemned meat food products shall be destroyed for food purposes, as hereinbefore provided, and the commissioner may remove inspectors from any establishment which fails to so destroy such condemned meat food products.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 6, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-15. Labeling of receptacles; false or misleading labeling
(1) When any meat or meat food product has been inspected as hereinbefore provided and marked “Mississippi inspected and passed” or appropriate marking shall be placed or packed in any can, pot, tin, canvas, or other receptacle or covering in any establishment where inspection under the provisions of this chapter is maintained, the person, firm, or corporation preparing said product shall cause a label to be attached to said can, pot, tin, canvas, or other receptacle or covering, under supervision of an inspector, which label shall state that the contents thereof have been “Mississippi inspected and passed” or appropriate marking under the provisions of this chapter, and no inspection and examination of meat or meat food products deposited or enclosed in cans, tins, pots, canvas, or other receptacle or covering in any establishment where inspection under the provisions of this chapter is maintained shall be deemed to be complete until such meat or meat food products have been sealed or enclosed in said can, tin, pot, canvas, or other receptacle or covering under the supervision of an inspector.
(2) All carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat and meat food products inspected at any establishment under the authority of this chapter and found to be not adulterated, shall at the time they leave the establishment bear, in distinctly legible form, directly thereon or on their containers, as the commissioner may require, the information required under paragraph (k) of Section 75-35-3.
(3) The commissioner, whenever he determines such action is necessary for the protection of the public, may prescribe:
(a) The styles and sizes of type to be used with respect to material required to be incorporated in labeling to avoid false or misleading labeling of any products or animals subject to this article or Article 3 of this chapter; and
(b) Definitions and standards of identity or composition for items subject to this article and standards of fill of container for such products not inconsistent with any such standards established under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and there shall be consultation between the commissioner and the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States prior to the issuance of such standards to avoid inconsistency between such standards and the federal standards.
(4) No item or product subject to this article shall be sold or offered for sale by any person, firm, or corporation, under any name or other marking or labeling which is false or misleading, or in any container of a misleading form or size, but established trade names and other marking and labeling and containers which are not false or misleading and which are approved by the commissioner, are permitted. A food product that contains cultured animal tissue produced from animal cell cultures outside of the organism from which it is derived shall not be labeled as meat or a meat food product. A plant-based or insect-based food product shall not be labeled as meat or a meat food product.
(5) If the commissioner has reason to believe that any marking or labeling or the size or form of any container in use or proposed for use with respect to any item subject to this article is false or misleading in any particular, he may direct that such use be withheld unless the marking, labeling, or container is modified in such manner as he may prescribe so that it will not be false or misleading. If the person, firm, or corporation using or proposing to use the marking, labeling or container does not accept the determination of the commissioner, such person, firm, or corporation may request a hearing, but the use of the marking, labeling, or container shall, if the commissioner so directs, be withheld pending hearing and final determination by the commissioner. Any party aggrieved by such final determination may, within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice of such final determination, effect an appeal therefrom to the chancery court of the county in which such party resides or in which the principal place of his business is domiciled; and, on appeal, such chancery court shall affirm, modify, or set aside the commissioner's final determination.
Credits
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 7, eff. July 1, 1968. Amended by Laws 2019, Ch. 303 (S.B. 2922), § 1, eff. July 1, 2019.
§ 75-35-17. Sanitary inspection; slaughtering establishments
The commissioner shall cause to be made, by experts in sanitation, or by other competent inspectors, such inspection of all slaughtering, meat-canning, salting, packing, rendering, or similar establishments in which cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines are slaughtered and the meat and meat food products thereof are prepared as may be necessary to inform himself concerning the sanitary conditions of the same, and to prescribe the rules and regulations of sanitation under which such establishments shall be maintained. Where the sanitary conditions of any such establishment are such that the meat or meat food products are rendered adulterated, he shall refuse to allow said meat or meat food products to be labeled, marked, stamped, or tagged as “Mississippi inspected and passed” or appropriately marked.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 8, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-19. Examination of slaughtered products
The commissioner shall cause an examination and inspection of all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines, and the food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared in the establishments hereinbefore described to be made during the nighttime as well as during the daytime when the slaughtering of said cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines, or the preparation of said food products is conducted during the nighttime.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 9, eff. July 1, 1968.
No person, firm, or corporation shall, with respect to any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equine, or any carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat or meat food products of any such animals:
(a) Slaughter any such animals or prepare any such products which are capable of use as human food, at any establishment preparing such articles, except in compliance with the requirements of this chapter;
(b) Sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, in intrastate commerce, (i) any such products which (1. ) are capable of use as human food, and (2.) are adulterated or misbranded at the time of such sale, transportation, offer for sale or transportation, or receipt for transportation; or (ii) any items required to be inspected under this article unless they have been so inspected and passed;
(c) Do, with respect to any such items which are capable of use as human food, any act while they are being transported in intrastate commerce or held for sale after such transportation, which is intended to cause or has the effect of causing such items to be adulterated or misbranded;
(d) Slaughter or handle in connection with such slaughter any such animals in any manner not declared to be humane under Section 75-35-8.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 10, eff. July 1, 1968. Amended by Laws 2006, Ch. 345, § 3, eff. July 1, 2006.
§ 75-35-23. Unauthorized use of marks and labels
(1) No brand manufacturer, printer, or other person, firm, or corporation shall cast, print, lithograph, or otherwise make any device containing any official mark or simulation thereof, or any label bearing any such mark or simulation, or any form of official certificate or simulation thereof, except as authorized by the commissioner.
(2) No person, firm, or corporation shall
(a) forge any official device, mark, or certificates;
(b) without authorization from the commissioner, use any official device, mark, or certificate, or simulation thereof, or alter, detach, deface, or destroy any official device, mark, or certificate;
(c) contrary to the regulations prescribed by the commissioner, fail to use, or to detach, deface, or destroy any official device, mark, or certificate;
(d) knowingly possess, without promptly notifying the commissioner, or his representative, any official device or any counterfeit, simulated, forged, or improperly altered official certificate or any device or label or any carcass of any animal, or part or product thereof, bearing any counterfeit, simulated, forged, or improperly altered official mark;
(e) knowingly make any false statement in any shipper's certificate or other nonofficial or official certificate provided for in the regulations prescribed by the commissioner; or
(f) knowingly represent that any item or product has been inspected and passed, or exempted, under this chapter when, in fact, it has, respectively, not been so inspected and passed, or exempted.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 11, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-25. Labeling and preparation of horse and mule carcasses
No person, firm, or corporation shall sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, any carcasses of horses, mules, or other equines or parts of such carcasses, or the meat or meat food products thereof, unless they are plainly and conspicuously marked or labeled or otherwise identified as required by regulations prescribed by the commissioner to show the kinds of animals from which they were derived. When required by the commissioner with respect to establishments at which inspection is maintained under this article, such animals and their carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products shall be prepared in establishments separate from those in which cattle, sheep, swine, or goats are slaughtered or their carcasses, parts thereof, meats or meat food products are prepared.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 12, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-27. Duties of inspectors
The commissioner shall appoint from time to time inspectors to make examination and inspection of all cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines the inspection of which is hereby provided for, and of all carcasses and parts thereof, and of all meats and meat food products thereof, and of the sanitary conditions of all establishments in which such meat and meat food products hereinbefore described are prepared. Said inspectors shall refuse to stamp, mark, tag or label any carcass or any part thereof, or meat food product therefrom, prepared in any establishment hereinbefore mentioned, until the same shall have actually been inspected and found to be not adulterated; and shall perform such other duties as are provided by this chapter and by the rules and regulations to be prescribed by said commissioner. Said commissioner shall, from time to time, make such rules and regulations as are necessary for the efficient execution of the provisions of this chapter, and all inspections and examinations made under this chapter shall be such and made in such manner as described in the rules and regulations prescribed by said commissioner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 13, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-29. Penalties for bribery of inspectors or other officers
Any person, firm, or corporation, or any agent or employee of any person, firm, or corporation, who shall give, pay, or offer, directly or indirectly, to any inspector, deputy inspector, chief inspector, or any other officer or employee of this state authorized to perform any of the duties prescribed by this chapter or by the rules and regulations of the commissioner, any money or other thing of value, with intent to influence said inspector, deputy inspector, chief inspector, or other officer or employee of this state in the discharge of any duty herein provided for, shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and by imprisonment not less than one (1) year nor more than three (3) years. Any inspector, deputy inspector, chief inspector, or other officer or employee of this state authorized to perform any of the duties prescribed by this chapter who shall accept any money, gift, or other thing of value from any person, firm, or corporation, or officers, agents, or employees thereof, given with intent to influence his official action, or who shall receive or accept from any person, firm, or corporation engaged in intrastate commerce any gift, money, or other thing of value given with any purpose or intent whatsoever, shall be deemed guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction thereof, be summarily discharged from office and shall be punished by a fine not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and by imprisonment not less than one (1) year nor more than three (3) years.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 14, eff. July 1, 1968. Amended by Laws 2002, Ch. 394, § 1, eff. July 1, 2002.
§ 75-35-31. Application of inspection requirements; exemptions
(1) The provisions of this article requiring inspection of the slaughter of animals and the preparation of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products at establishments conducting such operations shall not (a) apply to the slaughtering by any person of animals of his own raising, and the preparation by him and transportation in intrastate commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of such animals exclusively for use by him and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees; nor (b) to the custom slaughter by any person, firm, or corporation of cattle, sheep, swine, or goats, delivered by the owner thereof for such slaughter, and the preparation by such slaughterer and transportation in intrastate commerce of the carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products of such animals, exclusively for use, in the household of such owner, by him, and members of his household and his nonpaying guests and employees: provided, that such custom slaughterer does not engage in the business of buying or selling any carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat or meat food products of any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, or equines, capable of use as human food.
(2) The provisions of this chapter requiring inspection of the slaughter of animals and the preparation of carcasses, parts thereof, meat and meat food products shall not apply to operations of types traditionally and usually conducted at retail stores and restaurants, when conducted at any retail store or restaurant or similar retail-type establishment for sale in normal retail quantities or service of such items or products to consumers at such establishments.
(3) The slaughter of animals and preparation of items or products referred to in subsections (1)(b) and (2) of this section shall be conducted in accordance with such sanitary conditions as the commissioner may by regulations prescribe. Violation of any such regulation is prohibited.
(4) The adulteration and misbranding provisions of this article, other than the requirement of the inspection legend, shall apply to items or products which are not required to be inspected under this section.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 15, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-33. Conditions prescribed for storage and handling
The commissioner may by regulations prescribe conditions under which carcasses, parts of carcasses, meat, and meat food products of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, capable of use as human food, shall be stored or otherwise handled by any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, selling, freezing, storing, or transporting, in or for intrastate commerce, such articles, whenever the commissioner deems such action necessary to assure that such items or products will not be adulterated or misbranded when delivered to the consumer. Violation of any such regulation is prohibited.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 16, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-101. Inspections; establishments preparing certain products not for human food
Inspection shall not be provided under Article 1 of this chapter at any establishment for the slaughter of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, or the preparation of any carcasses or parts or products of such animals, which are not intended for use as human food, but such products shall, prior to their offer for sale or transportation in intrastate commerce, unless naturally inedible by humans, be denatured or otherwise identified as prescribed by regulations of the commissioner to deter their use for human food. No person, firm, or corporation shall buy, sell, transport, or offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, in commerce, any carcasses, parts thereof, meat or meat food products of any such animals, which are not intended for use as human food unless they are denatured or otherwise identified as required by the regulations of the commissioner or are naturally inedible by humans.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 17, eff. July 1, 1968.
(1) The following classes of persons, firms, and corporations shall keep such records as will fully and correctly disclose all transactions involved in their businesses; and all persons, firms, and corporations subject to such requirements shall, at all reasonable times, upon notice by a duly authorized representative of the commissioner afford such representative and any duly authorized representative of the secretary of agriculture of the United States accompanied by such representative of the commissioner access to their places of business and opportunity to examine the facilities, inventory, and records thereof, to copy all such records, and to take reasonable samples of their inventory upon payment when requested of the fair market value thereof:
(a) Any persons, firms, or corporations that engage in the business of slaughtering any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, or preparing, freezing, packaging, or labeling any carcasses, or parts or products of carcasses, of any such animals, for use as human food or animal food;
(b) Any persons, firms, or corporations that engage in the business of buying or selling (as meat brokers, wholesalers or otherwise), or transporting, or storing, any carcasses, or parts or products of carcasses, of any such animals;
(c) Any persons, firms, or corporations that engage in business, as renderers, or engage in the business of buying, selling, or transporting, any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, or parts of the carcasses of any such animals that died otherwise than by slaughter.
(2) Any record required to be maintained by this section shall be maintained for such period of time as the commissioner may by regulations prescribe.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 18, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-105. Registration with commissioner
No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in business, as a meat broker, renderer, or animal food manufacturer, or engage in business as a wholesaler of any carcasses, or parts or products of the carcasses, of any cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, whether intended for human food or other purposes, or engage in business as a public warehouseman storing any such items or products, or engage in the business of buying, selling, or transporting, any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased animals of the specified kinds, or parts of the carcasses of any such animals that died otherwise than by slaughter, unless, when required by regulations of the commissioner, he has registered with the commissioner his name, and the address of each place of business at which, and all trade names under which, he conducts such business.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 19, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-107. Dead, dying, or diseased animals
No person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, selling, or transporting, dead, dying, disabled, or diseased animals, or any parts of the carcasses of any animals that died otherwise than by slaughter, shall buy, sell, transport, offer for sale or transportation, or receive for transportation, any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules or other equines, or parts of the carcasses of any such animals that died otherwise than by slaughter, unless such transaction or transportation is made in accordance with such regulations as the commissioner may prescribe to assure that such animals, or the unwholesome parts or products thereof, will be prevented from being used for human food purposes.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 20, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-201. Cooperation with federal agencies
(1) The department of agriculture and commerce is hereby designated as the state agency which shall be responsible for cooperating with the secretary of agriculture of the United States under the provisions of Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and such agency is directed to cooperate with the secretary of agriculture of the United States in developing and administering the meat inspection program of this state under this chapter to assure that not later than November 15, 1969, its requirements will be at least equal to those imposed under Titles I and IV of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and in developing and administering the program of this state under Article 3 of this chapter in such a manner as will effectuate the purposes of this chapter and said federal act.
(2) In such cooperative efforts, the department of agriculture and commerce is authorized to accept from said secretary advisory assistance in planning and otherwise developing the state program, technical and laboratory assistance and training (including necessary curricular and instructional materials and equipment), and financial and other aid for administration of such a program. The department of agriculture and commerce is further authorized to spend public funds of this state appropriated for administration of this chapter to pay fifty per centum (50%) of the estimated total cost of the cooperative program.
(3) The department of agriculture and commerce is further authorized to recommend to the said secretary of agriculture such officials or employees of this state as the department of agriculture and commerce shall designate, for appointment to the advisory committees provided for in Section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act; and the department of agriculture and commerce shall serve as the representative of the governor for consultation with said secretary under paragraph (c) of this section of said act unless the governor shall select another representative.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 21, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-301. Refusal or withdrawal of inspection services; fitness to engage in business; convictions for violations of laws
The commissioner may (for such period, or indefinitely, as he deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter) refuse to provide, or withdraw, inspection service under Article 1 of this chapter with respect to any establishment if he determines, after opportunity for a hearing is accorded to the applicant for, or recipient of, such service, that such applicant or recipient is unfit to engage in any business requiring inspection under Article 1 because the applicant or recipient, or anyone responsibly connected with the applicant or recipient, has been convicted, in any federal or state court, of (1) any felony, or (2) more than one violation of any law, other than a felony, based upon the acquiring, handling, or distributing of unwholesome, mislabeled, or deceptively packaged food or upon fraud in connection with transactions in food. This section shall not affect in any way other provisions of this chapter for withdrawal of inspection services under Article 1 from establishments failing to maintain sanitary conditions or to destroy condemned carcasses, parts, meat or meat food products.
For the purpose of this section, a person shall be deemed to be responsibly connected with the business if he was a partner, officer, director, holder, or owner of ten per centum (10%) or more of its voting stock or employee in a managerial or executive capacity. The determination and order of the commissioner with respect thereto under this section shall be final and conclusive unless the affected applicant for, or recipient of, inspection service files application for judicial review within thirty (30) days after the effective date of such order in the appropriate court as provided in section 75-35-15 of this chapter. Judicial review of any such order shall be upon the record made before the commissioner upon which the determination and order are based.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 22, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-303. Detention of adulterated or misbranded carcasses or meat food products
Whenever any carcass, part of a carcass, meat or meat food product of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, or other equines, or any product exempted from the definition of a meat food product, or any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased cattle, sheep, swine, goat, or equine is found by any authorized representative of the commissioner upon any premises where it is held for purposes of, or during or after distribution, and there is reason to believe that any such item or product is adulterated or misbranded and is capable of use as human food, or that it has not been inspected, in violation of the provisions of Article 1 of this chapter or of the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or that such products or animal has been or is intended to be, distributed in violation of any such provisions, it may be detained by such representative for a period not to exceed twenty (20) days, pending action under section 75-35-305 of this chapter or notification of any Federal authorities having jurisdiction over such article or animal, and shall not be moved by any person, firm or corporation from the place at which it is located when so detained, until released by such representative. All official marks may be required by such representative to be removed from such products or animal before it is released unless it appears to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the products or animal is eligible to retain such marks.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 23, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-305. Seizure and condemnation of carcasses; grounds; bond
(1) Any carcass, part of a carcass, meat or meat food product of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules or other equines, or any dead, dying, disabled, or diseased cattle, sheep, swine, goat, or equine, that is being transported in intrastate commerce, or is held for sale in this state after such transportation, and that (a) is or has been prepared, sold, transported, or otherwise distributed or offered or received for distribution in violation of this chapter, or (b) is capable of use as human food and is adulterated or misbranded, or (c) in any other way is in violation of this chapter, shall be liable to be proceeded against and seized and condemned, at any time, on a bill of complaint in the chancery court as provided in section 75-35-307 of this chapter within the jurisdiction of which the products or animal is found. If the products or animal is condemned it shall, after entry of the decree, be disposed of by destruction or sale as the court may direct and the proceeds, if sold, less the court costs and fees, and storage and other proper expenses, shall be paid into the general fund of the treasury of this state, but the products or animals shall not be sold contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: provided, that upon the execution and delivery of a good and sufficient bond conditioned that the products or animal shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of contrary to the provisions of this chapter, or the laws of the United States, the court may direct that such products or animal be delivered to the owner thereof subject to such supervision by authorized representatives of the commissioner as is necessary to insure compliance with the applicable laws. When a decree of condemnation is entered against the products or animal and it is released under bond, or destroyed, court costs and fees, and storage and other proper expenses shall be awarded against the person, if any, intervening as claimant of the product or animal. The proceedings in such chancery court cases shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the usual proceedings in chancery, except that either party may demand trial by jury of any issue of fact joined in any case, and all such proceedings shall be removed at the suit of and in the name of this state in the circuit court.
(2) The provisions of this section shall in no way derogate from authority for condemnation or seizure conferred by other provisions of this chapter, or other laws.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 24, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-307. Chancery court jurisdiction
Except as otherwise specifically provided for in this chapter, the chancery courts are vested with jurisdiction specifically to enforce, and to prevent and restrain violations of this chapter, and shall have jurisdiction in all other kinds of cases arising under this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 25; Laws 1997, Ch. 521, § 2, eff. July 1, 1997.
§ 75-35-309. Penalty for impeding persons; performing of official duties
Any person who forcibly assaults, resists, opposes, impedes, intimidates, or interferes with any person while engaged in or on account of the performance of his official duties under this chapter shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned not more than three (3) years, or both. Whoever, in the commission of any such acts, uses a deadly or dangerous weapon, shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or both. Whoever kills any person while engaged in or on account of the performance of his official duties under this chapter shall be punished as provided under general laws of this state.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 26, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-311. Violations; fines and imprisonment
(1) Any person, firm, or corporation who violates any provision of this chapter for which no other criminal penalty is provided by this chapter shall upon conviction be subject to imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both such imprisonment and fine; but if such violation involves intent to defraud, or any distribution or attempted distribution of an item or product that is adulterated (except as defined in section 75-35-3(j)(8) of this chapter), such person, firm, or corporation shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than three (3) years or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) or both: provided, that no person, firm, or corporation shall be subject to penalties under this section for receiving for transportation any product or animal in violation of this chapter if such receipt was made in good faith, unless such person, firm, or corporation refuses to furnish on request of a representative of the commissioner the name and address of the person from whom he received such products or animal, and copies of all documents, if any there be, pertaining to the delivery of the products or animal to him.
(2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the commissioner to report for prosecution or for the institution of a bill of complaint or injunction proceedings, minor violations of this chapter whenever he believes that the public interest will be adequately served by a suitable written notice of warning.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 27, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-313. Commissioner; investigation; intrastate commerce
The commissioner shall also have power:
(a) To gather and compile information concerning, and to investigate from time to time the organization, business, conduct, practices, and management of any person, firm, or corporation engaged in intrastate commerce, and the relation thereof to other persons, firms, and corporations;
(b) To require, by general or special orders, persons, firms, and corporations engaged in intrastate commerce, or any class of them, or any of them to file with the commissioner, in such form as the commissioner may prescribe, annual or special, or both annual and special, reports or answers in writing to specific questions, furnishing to the commissioner such information as he may require as to the organization, business, conduct, practices, management, and relation to other persons, firms, and corporations, of the person, firm, or corporation filing such reports or answers in writing. Such reports and answers shall be made under oath, or otherwise, as the commissioner may prescribe, and shall be filed with the commissioner within such reasonable period as the commissioner may prescribe, unless additional time be granted in any case by the commissioner.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 28(a), eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-315. Attendance of witnesses; documentary evidence
(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the commissioner shall at all reasonable times have access to, for the purpose of examination, and the right to copy, any documentary evidence of any person, firm, or corporation being investigated or proceeded against, and may require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all documentary evidence of any person, firm, or corporation relating to any matter under investigation. The commissioner may issue and sign subpoenas and may administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence.
(2) Such attendance of witnesses, and the production of such documentary evidence, may be required at any designated place of hearing. In case of disobedience to a subpoena, the commissioner may invoke the aid of any court designated in section 75-35-307 of this chapter in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence.
(3) Any of the courts designated in section 75-35-307 of this chapter within the jurisdiction of which such inquiry is carried on may, in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, firm, or corporation, issue an order requiring such person, firm, or corporation to appear before the commissioner, or to produce documentary evidence if so ordered, or to give evidence touching the matter in question; and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
(4) Upon the application of the attorney general of this state at the request of the commissioner, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus commanding any person, firm, or corporation to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any order of the commissioner made in pursuance thereof.
(5) The commissioner may order testimony to be taken by deposition in any proceeding or investigation pending under this chapter at any stage of such proceeding or investigation. Such depositions may be taken before any person designated by the commissioner and having power to administer oaths. Such testimony shall be reduced to writing by the person taking the deposition, or under his direction and shall then be subscribed by the deponent. Any person may be compelled to appear and depose and to produce documentary evidence in the same manner as witnesses may be compelled to appear and testify and produce documentary evidence before the commissioner as hereinbefore provided.
(6) Witnesses summoned before the commissioner shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of this state, and witnesses whose depositions are taken and the persons taking the same shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in such courts.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 28(b), eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-317. Penalty for failure to give testimony and provide evidence; fines; imprisonment
(1) Any person, firm, or corporation that shall neglect or refuse to attend and testify or to answer any lawful inquiry, or to produce documentary evidence, if in his or its power to do so, in obedience to the subpoena or lawful requirement of the commissioner, shall be guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Any person, firm, or corporation that shall willfully make, or cause to be made any false entry or statement of fact in any report required to be made under this chapter, or that shall willfully make, or cause to be made, any false entry in any account, record, or memorandum kept by any person, firm, or corporation subject to this chapter or that shall willfully neglect or fail to make, or to cause to be made, full, true, and correct entries in such accounts, records, or memoranda, of all facts and transactions appertaining to the business of such person, firm, or corporation, or that shall willfully remove out of the jurisdiction of this state, or willfully mutilate, alter, or by any other means falsify any documentary evidence of any such person, firm, or corporation or that shall willfully refuse to submit to the commissioner or to any of his authorized agents, for the purpose of inspection and taking copies, any documentary evidence of any such person, firm, or corporation in his possession or within his control, shall be deemed guilty of an offense and shall be subject, upon conviction in any court of competent jurisdiction to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three (3) years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(3) If any person, firm, or corporation required by this chapter to file any annual or special report shall fail so to do within the time fixed by the commissioner for filing the same, and such failure shall continue for thirty (30) days after notice of such default, unless for good cause shown on extension for filing same shall be granted by the commissioner, such person, firm, or corporation shall forfeit to this state the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each and every day of the continuance of such failure, which forfeiture shall be payable into the general fund of the treasury of this state, and shall be recoverable in a civil suit in the name of the state brought in the county where the person, firm, or corporation has his or its principal office or in any county in which he or it shall do business. It shall be the duty of the attorney general of this state, the county attorney and the district attorney, under the direction of the attorney general of this state, to prosecute for the recovery of such forfeitures in the name of the State of Mississippi. The costs and expenses of such prosecution shall be paid out of the appropriation for the expenses of the courts of this state.
(4) Any officer or employee of this state who shall make public any information obtained by the commissioner without his authority, unless directed by a court, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment, not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. This provision does not apply to the governor, members of the legislature, the attorney general, district attorney, county attorney or sheriff.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 28(c), eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-319. Application of chapter
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to persons, firms, corporation establishments, animals, and products regulated under the Federal Meat Inspection Act only to the extent provided for in Section 408 of said federal act.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 29, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-321. Authorization of appropriations
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 30, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-323. Existing statutes not repealed
Nothing in this chapter, except for the purpose of providing for cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture for the inspection of meat and related purposes, shall repeal or supersede any existing statutes regulating the same matters and subject.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1968, Ch. 245, § 32, eff. July 1, 1968.
§ 75-35-325. Administrative procedures concerning fines and other penalties
(1) When a written complaint is made against a person for violation of any provision of this chapter or of Section 75-33-1 et seq., or any of the rules or regulations promulgated there under, the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designee, shall conduct a full evidentiary hearing relative to the charges. The complaint shall be in writing and shall be filed in the office of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The commissioner shall cause to be delivered to the accused in the manner described herein a copy of the complaint and a summons requiring the accused to file a written answer to the complaint within thirty (30) days after service of the summons and complaint upon the accused. The accused may be notified by serving a copy of the summons and complaint on the accused or any of his officers, agents or employees by personal service or by certified mail. The accused shall file with the department a written response to the complaint within the thirty-day period. If the accused fails to file an answer within such time, the commissioner or his designee may enter an order by default against the accused. If the accused has filed an answer, the matter shall be set for hearing before the commissioner or his designee.
The commissioner may issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents. Compliance with such subpoenas may be enforced by any court of general jurisdiction in this state. The testimony of witnesses shall be upon oath or affirmation, and they shall be subject to cross-examination. The proceedings shall be recorded by a court reporter. If the commissioner or his designee determines that the complaint lacks merit, he may dismiss it. If he finds that there is substantial evidence showing that a violation of any of the statutes or regulations has been committed, he may impose any or all of the following penalties upon the accused:
(a) Levy a civil penalty in the amount of no more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation;
(b) Revoke or suspend any license, permit or privilege granted to the accused under the terms of this chapter or Section 75-33-1 et seq.;
(c) Retain product, reject equipment or facilities, slow or stop a line or refuse to allow the processing of a specifically identified product;
(d) Refuse to allow the marks of inspection to be applied to a product; or
(e) Take any other action authorized by law or regulation. The commissioner's decision shall be in writing, and it shall be delivered to the accused by any of the methods described herein for service of the summons and complaint on the accused.
(2) Either the accused or the department may appeal the decision of the commissioner to the circuit court of the county of residence of the accused or, if the accused is a nonresident of the State of Mississippi, to the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi. The appellant shall have the obligation of having the record transcribed and filed with the circuit court. The appeal shall otherwise be governed by all applicable laws and rules affecting appeals to circuit court. If no appeal is perfected within the required time, the decision of the commissioner, or his designee, shall then become final.
(3) The decision of the circuit court may then be appealed by either party to the Mississippi Supreme Court in accordance with the existing laws and rules affecting such appeals.
CREDIT(S)
Laws 1997, Ch. 521, § 1, eff. July 1, 1997. Amended by Laws 2003, Ch. 491, § 1, eff. July 1, 2003.
§ 75-35-327. Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 321, § 11, eff. March 16, 2009