Antemortem Inspection of Production Animals

Meat inspectors conduct antemortem procedures at the abattoir (slaughter establishment) on the day of slaughter to identify and condemn animals that are unfit for slaughter and to note clinical signs or lesions of disease that might not be apparent after slaughter (eg, neurological signs, labored breathing, lameness, or fever). The inspector observes animals both at rest and in motion.

Animals should not be allowed to enter any area of the facility where animals are slaughtered, carcasses are dressed, or edible products are handled until they have been inspected and found to be acceptable candidates for human consumption. In addition, the facility for antemortem inspection must have good lighting, as well as gates, chutes, and equipment sufficient to segregate abnormal animals for closer examination and proper inspection.

Antemortem inspection leads to one of three outcomes:

• Passed for normal slaughter. Animals in this category appear healthy.

• Passed as suspect. Animals are suspect if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • They show clinical signs or lesions that do not warrant immediate condemnation, so their carcasses and viscera can be inspected separately.

  • They have reacted to a test for anaplasmosis, leptospirosis, or tuberculosis but do not show clinical signs.

  • They show clinical signs of certain minor diseases and may be set apart and held to allow recovery or to permit the depletion of residues of biological substances and chemicals.

• Condemned. Animals must be condemned if they meet any of these criteria:

  • They are dead or moribund.

  • They plainly show clinical signs of a disease or condition that would necessitate condemnation of the carcass on postmortem inspection.

  • They show clinical signs of CNS disease.

  • They show severe fever: body temperature of ≥ 41°C (106°F) in swine, or of ≥ 40.5°C (105°F) in cattle, sheep, and goats.

  • For cattle in the US, they are nonambulatory disabled (unable to rise and walk).

Animals that might have been treated with or exposed to substances that could make the edible tissues unfit for human food should not be slaughtered for such.

Animals suspected of having a foreign disease or parasite should be held and reported immediately to the nearest federal or state health official.

To perform an antemortem inspection of poultry, inspectors observe poultry in coops and batteries for overall condition, as well as for unusual swellings or other abnormalities, paying attention to the head and eyes, legs, and body.