January 18, 2012

Following Inspection, Agriculture Officials Suspend Exempt Status of Osage County Custom Meat Processor

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program has temporarily halted custom exempt processing operations at B & C Processing in Linn, Mo. due to unsanitary practices.

During an inspection conducted yesterday, members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program identified sanitation issues involving meat processing equipment at B & C Processing. As a result the custom exempt processing permissions for the facility were suspended. The business' permissions are to remain suspended until the completion of a satisfactory inspection, which will be scheduled at the business owner's request.

Facilities operating under a custom processing exemption, such as B & C Processing, are not allowed to sell meat to the public. Custom exempt processing is completed for livestock owners for their own consumption. All custom exempt packaging is specially marked.

Individuals who have recently conducted business with B & C Processing should carefully examine all items processed by the facility before consuming.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services encourage customers to contact their local health officials with any food safety-related questions and for additional information on sanitation.

For more information regarding the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit mda.mo.gov.