State ag department halts meat processing at local business

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has imposed restrictions on a Pocahontas meat processing business after an inspection reportedly revealed unsanitary conditions.

An inspection Friday by the members of the department's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program identified "sanitation issues" involving meat processing equipment at Reis Meat Processing.

As a result, the facility's custom exempt processing permissions have been suspended until a satisfactory inspection is completed. Custom exempt processing is done for livestock owners for their own consumption.

Owner Revis Reisenbich­ler said he has taken action to correct the sanitation violations and that the facility would be reinspected at 7 a.m. Monday by Missouri Department of Agriculture staff.

Sanitation deficiencies observed by inspectors include:

• Trolleys observed with rust and meat particle buildup.
• Excessive number of flies observed in kill floor area, processing area, on countertops in lugs, on shelves and throughout floor.
• Walls and doors of walk-in coolers observed with fat residue and dried blood buildup.
• Floor throughout the facility and walk-in cooler units observed with old meat particles, fat residue and soil build up.
• Kill floor sink observed with dead flies, not working property and no soap.
• Hand meat saw observed with dried meat particles.
• Dead flies observed in packaging material container.
• Cutting boards observed with dark stains and not sanitary.

In its news release, the Missouri Department of Agriculture asks individuals who have recently conducted business with Reis Meat Processing to carefully examine all items processed by the facility before consuming. Customers are encouraged to contact their local health officials with any food safety-related questions and for additional information on sanitation.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

2470 Highway C, Pocahontas, Mo.