1. (a) Exotic animals. If exotic animals are received for sale or service, they shall:

   1. (1) be commercially raised for food; and

      1. (A) raised, slaughtered, processed, and deemed to be "inspected and approved" under an inspection program administered by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in accordance with 9 CFR 352, Exotic Animals; Voluntary Inspection; or
      2. (B) raised, slaughtered, processed, and deemed to be "inspected and passed" under a meat and poultry inspection program administered by the department or any other state meat inspection program deemed equal to USDA inspection;
   2. (2) as allowed by law, for exotic animals that are live caught, be slaughtered and processed as required in paragraph (1)(A) or (B) of this subsection; and

   3. (3) as allowed by law, for exotic animals that are field dressed:

      1. (A) receive an antemortem and postmortem examination by the appropriate inspection personnel as described in paragraph (1)(A) or (B) of this subsection; and
      2. (B) be transported and processed according to the requirements specified by the appropriate regulatory authority as described in paragraph (1)(A) or (B) of this subsection.
2. (b) Cooking. Exotic animals shall be cooked to heat all parts of the food to a temperature and for a time that complies with one of the methods for cooking game animals according to Food Code, §3-401.11, and under a voluntary inspection program as specified in subsection(a) of this section.

Source Note:The provisions of this §228.61 adopted to be effective August 8, 2021, 46 TexReg 4686.