Livestock and poultry producers who wish to sell their products to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, boarding houses, and other food service institutions must have their animals slaughtered and processed in an establishment under continuous inspection by the Minnesota Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (MMPIP) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Minnesota State "Equal To" (E2) Inspection Program
Minnesota is one of 27 states with a Meat and Poultry Inspection Program considered at least equal to the federal meat and poultry inspection program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Establishments in Minnesota’s ”Equal To” (E2) program operate under the requirements as set by the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act. These plants can slaughter animals and process products to sell or distribute wholesale to any entity within the state of Minnesota. Currently licensed, permitted E2 plants are listed at Minnesota State "Equal To" Plants. (For a listing of USDA inspected plants, contact the Des Moines District office at 1-800-990-9834 or visit the USDA Meat, Poultry and Egg Product Inspection Directory)
Retailers, restaurants, distributors, schools, food shelves, and other entities can buy and serve meat and poultry from Minnesota establishments participating in the E2 program. Products processed under inspection at a Minnesota E2 plant are labeled or marked with a State of Minnesota symbol which includes the phrase “inspected and passed” and the establishment number. This symbol indicates the products were inspected and passed under the same standards that the USDA uses to ensure the production of safe, wholesome products. Product packages must also be labeled with certain required information such as the product identity and a full list of ingredients.
The Minnesota E2 program allows small slaughter and processing establishments to serve businesses in their communities and farmers in their area. It is an important part of strengthening and diversifying local food systems, supporting local economic development, and helping consumers connect with local producers. Locate state meat and poultry plants on the Map of Minnesota Meat Processors.
This map is updated the first week of each month.
