USDA Tweaks Meat Plant Size Rules for Better Inspections
Published Date: 3/24/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service wants to update how it defines the size of meat, poultry, and egg plants. These size rules help decide how the agency checks and supports businesses, especially small ones. If changes happen, they could affect how often inspections happen and how rules apply, so businesses should share their thoughts by May 26, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Inspection Frequency and Rule Effects
FSIS is considering changing how it defines plant size. If definitions change, it could affect how often FSIS inspects establishments and how regulatory requirements are applied; FSIS asks for comments by May 26, 2026.
Who Qualifies For Reduced Fees
FSIS has used "small" and "very small" categories to determine eligibility for reduced inspection fees (see 86 FR 37276, July 15, 2021) and applied those reduced-fee rules only to establishments unaffiliated with multiple or large businesses. Changing size definitions could change which establishments qualify for reduced inspection fees.
Labeling and Sampling Exemption Eligibility
FSIS currently exempts some small businesses from nutrition labeling (under 9 CFR 317.400 and 381.500) based on annual production volume and employee count, and defines "low-volume" establishments (producing an average of 1 to 1,000 pounds per day) that are exempt from certain Salmonella sampling for some raw pork products. Revising size definitions could change which establishments qualify for these exemptions.
Two-Metric Size Classification Proposal
The NACMPI recommended FSIS use two separate metrics for size: a primary metric based on production volume and a secondary metric based on business size (employee count, revenue, and corporate association). The committee also recommended applying both metrics to each establishment and considering corporate ownership when determining eligibility for federal services and programs, including possibly requiring disclosure of ownership on grant applications.
Possible Alignment With SBA Size Standards
FSIS is asking whether to align its size categories with SBA size standards; SBA size thresholds listed include NAICS 311615 (poultry processing) at 1,250 or fewer employees, NAICS 311611 (animal slaughtering) at 1,150 or fewer, NAICS 311612 at 1,000 or fewer, NAICS 311710 at 750 or fewer, and NAICS 311999 at 700 or fewer. NACMPI discouraged adopting SBA standards, noting possible unfair advantages for some establishments.
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