Beef, pork, lamb, poultry and rabbit sold direct to consumers
Inspected: use a state Type 1 or USDA plant; every package carries the mark of inspection and required label features. Poultry/rabbit exemption: apply to IDOA for a two-year exemption (form, potable-water test, facility flow chart, written process description).
Since Jan 1, 2026 (HB 2196) the exemption cap is 7,500 animals a year and exempt product may be sold on-farm, at farmers markets, roadside stands and by delivery. Older guides (including the 2023 farmers-market guide) still say exempt product is barred from markets — confirm with IDOA, your local health department and the market.
Exempt product: farm name, address and ‘NOT INSPECTED–Exempt P.L. 90-492’. Inspected raw product: product name, inspection legend, net weight, handling statement, safe-handling instructions. Keep meat at or below 41°F. Retail sales are permitted by your local health department.
| Item | Rule | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Inspected sales | State Type 1 or USDA inspection; mark of inspection on every package; no IDOA broker license for retail-only sales. | IDOA Meat & Poultry Inspection |
| Poultry & rabbit exemption | ≤ 7,500 animals/yr; 2-yr exemption; label farm name/address + ‘NOT INSPECTED–Exempt P.L. 90-492’; sales on-premises, farmers markets, roadside stands, delivery. | IDOA (HB 2196, eff. 1/1/2026) |
| Custom-exempt (Type 2) | Slaughter/processing for the owner’s own household; not eligible for sale. | IDOA |
| Broker license | $50/yr (Jul 1–Jun 30) — only for wholesale to resellers. | IDOA |
| Retail permit | Retail meat sales covered by the local health department; farmers-market permit for farmers selling meat, poultry, dairy, eggs. | Local health dept |
| Temperature | 41°F or below. | IDPH |
Can I sell whole chickens I raised and processed on the farm?
Yes under the Poultry & Rabbit Exemption if you’ve been granted it — up to 7,500 a year, with the required label. Confirm market-specific rules; older guidance said exempt product wasn’t allowed at markets.
Can I sell beef by the cut from a custom processor?
No. Custom-exempt product is for the owner’s household. Cuts sold to consumers must come from a state- or USDA-inspected plant.
Do I need a broker license to sell at a farmers market?
No. The broker license is for wholesale; retail-only sales (including markets) don’t need it, but your local health department may require a permit.
What about halal?
Anyone advertising or selling halal meat must register with IDOA’s Bureau of Meat & Poultry Inspection ($75/yr).