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If you raise livestock, process meat, or are opening a butcher shop, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Do I need a USDA inspection to sell meat?” The answer depends entirely on where and how  you plan to sell. Understanding the difference between custom processing, exemptions, and a USDA Grant of Inspection  determines what you can legally sell and to whom. 1. What Is a USDA Grant of Inspection? A Grant of Inspection  is formal authorization from the USDA Food Saf

Listeria survives where water, cold, and time meet, even in spotless spaces. This article is part of the AskHACCP Listeria Series , focused on bringing real-world compliance guidance to retail and small processing environments. Walk into most retail food spaces and you will see surfaces that shine, mops that smell like sanitizer, and drains that run clear. But Listeria monocytogenes does not care about appearances. It survives in cold, wet environments and hides in the place

You’ve built a loyal following selling jams at the farmers market, granola at pop-ups, or breads from your home kitchen. Now you’re eyeing bigger goals like selling online, moving into wholesale, or testing new recipes. Before you take that next step, it’s important to understand when your “cottage food” operation becomes a commercial food business . Fast Definitions Cottage Food : Low-risk foods (like baked goods, jams, and candies) made in a home kitchen  under your state’

Cheese counters and salumeria programs can distinguish specialty retailers, but they operate in a highly regulated space. Licensing...

What Licenses You Actually Need Thinking about launching a butcher shop, café, market, or retail store?  Whether you are producing cured...

Vacuum packaging and sous vide cooking are widely used to preserve food, extend shelf life, and streamline kitchen flow. But there is a...