Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
Board
State Board of Health
chapter
Food Regulations [12 VAC 5 ‑ 421]
Action:
Amend Food Regulations to Comply with Chapter 674 of the 2018 Acts of Assembly
Action 5240
 
General Information
Action Summary A regulatory change to the Food Regulations (12VAC5-421 et seq.) is required in order to conform to changes made to the Code of Virginia during the 2018 Legislative Session (See Chapter 674 of the 2018 Acts of Assembly; SB470). Chapter 674 amends Section 3.2-5121 of the Code of Virginia to include the following language, in part: No regulation adopted or amended by the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall require commercially slaughtered or processed rabbits offered for sale or service be slaughtered or processed under (i) the voluntary inspection program that is conducted by the state agency that has animal health jurisdiction or (ii) a voluntary inspection program that is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Chapter 674 removes the requirement that rabbits must be slaughtered or processed under a voluntary inspection program prior to introduction into commerce. The Food Regulations require game animals received for sale or service to be, among several options, slaughtered and processed under a voluntary inspection program that is conducted by the state agency that has animal health jurisdiction or under a voluntary inspection program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Game animals, by regulatory definition, include rabbits. The Food Regulations are in conflict with the statutory language contained in Chapter 674, which became effective July 1, 2018. The proposed regulatory action would amend the Food Regulations to comply with state law by allowing food establishments within the Commonwealth to receive for sale or service, commercially slaughtered or processed rabbits not under a voluntary inspection.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [005626]
Associated Mandates Amend Food Regulations to Comply with Chapter 674 of 2018
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
8561 Fast-Track Stage complete. This regulation became effective on 10/17/2019.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Julie Henderson  / Director, Office of Environmental Health Services
Address:
109 Governor St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Email Address: julie.henderson@vdh.virginia.gov
Phone: (804)864-7455    FAX: (804)864-7475    TDD: (800)828-1120

This person is the primary contact for this chapter.