What is the difference between a federally – and state-inspected plant? How does the inspection affect where and to whom I sell meats?
State and federally inspected processing plants follow the same guidelines to ensure that meat is wholesome and safe for consumption. The main difference is that, by law, state-inspected meats can only be sold within the state. This means that you may not cross state lines, sell these meats online, mail or in any other way ship them out of state. State inspected meat and poultry products bear a state inspection legend versus a USDA inspection legend.