The Missouri Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program has temporarily halted custom exempt processing operations at Reis Meat Processing in Jackson, Mo. due to unsanitary practices.

During an inspection conducted the morning of Sept. 30, members of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program identified sanitation issues involving meat processing equipment at Reis Meat Processing. As a result, the custom exempt processing permissions for the facility were suspended. The business' permissions are to remain suspended until the completion of a satisfactory inspection, which will be scheduled at the business owner's request.

Facilities operating under a custom processing exemption, such as Reis Meat Processing, are not allowed to sell meat to the public. Custom exempt processing is completed for livestock owners for their own consumption. All custom exempt packaging is specially marked.

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.

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