February 11, 2013

Agriculture Officials Suspend Exempt Status of Morgan County Meat Processor

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program has halted custom exempt processing operations at Leinbach Custom Processing.

Following a routine inspection today, February 11, members of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program suspended custom exempt processing permissions for the facility in Versailles due to violations related to the business's potable water supply. The use of non-potable water in plant operations was identified through routine water samples taken at the facility January 29, 2013 and February 8, 2013 and analyzed at the State Public Health Laboratory.

The custom exempt processing permissions are to remain suspended until the violation is addressed and documentation of a potable water supply is provided to the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Facilities operating under a custom processing exemption, such as Leinbach Custom Processing, are not allowed to sell those custom products to the public. Custom exempt processing is completed for livestock owners for their own consumption and packaging for all custom exempt products is specially marked.

Individuals who have recently conducted custom processing business with Leinbach Custom 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.

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