On May 9, 2016, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture published a notice in the Federal Register addressing the dollar limitations on the amount of meat and meat food products, poultry, and poultry products that a retail store can sell to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without disqualifying itself for exemption from Federal inspection requirements.  For calendar year 2016, the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products is being increased from $76,900 to $79,200.  The value for the dollar limitation for poultry and poultry products remains unchanged at $58,200.  FSIS is changing the dollar limitations from calendar year 2015 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index.

As many retailers may know, FSIS now has inspection authority over Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish) and the agency has provided an 18-month transitional period for mandatory inspection of these fish and fish products.  FSIS is currently considering the retail dollar limitations for this product.  At this time, FSIS will not apply the meat retail dollar limitations to Siluriformes fish and fish products sold at retail because FSIS is assessing retail and similar institutions that produce this product during the 18-month period and because the Consumer Price Index for meat and meat products does not apply to Siluriformes fish and fish products.

For more information, please contact Erik Lieberman of Lieberman PLLC at erl@liebermanpllc.com or 202.830.0300.