On June 1, 2017, 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 2017, the dollar limitation for meat and meat food products is being decreased from $79,200 to $75,700.  The new value for the dollar limitation for poultry and poultry products is being decreased from $58,200 to $56,600.  The FSIS retail exemption limits are being changed from calendar year 2016 based on price changes for these products evidenced by the Consumer Price Index.  The change in dollar limitations is effective July 3, 2017.  Please see this Lieberman PLLC Regulatory Alert for more information.

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.

For more information, please contact Erik Lieberman of Lieberman PLLC at erl1@liebermanpllc.com or 202.830.0300.