Us Code § 609 - Examination of animals and food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared during nighttime

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 609 — Examination of animals and food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared during nighttime, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 609. Examination of animals and food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared during nighttime

The Secretary shall cause an examination and inspection of all amenable species, and the food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared in the establishments hereinbefore described for the purposes of commerce to be made during the nighttime as well as during the daytime when the slaughtering of said amenable species, or the preparation of said food products is conducted during the nighttime.

(Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, title I, §9, formerly 7th par., 34 Stat. 1262; renumbered §9 and amended Pub. L. 90–201, §§1, 3, 12(a), Dec. 15, 1967, 81 Stat. 584, 588, 592; Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(1), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570; Pub. L. 109–97, title VII, §798[(a)](1), Nov. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 2166.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 77 of this title.

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–97 substituted "amenable species" for "cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines" in two places.

1986—Pub. L. 99–641 temporarily inserted ", except as provided in section 606 of this title," after first reference to "other equines, and". See Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment note below.

1967—Pub. L. 90–201, §§3, 12(a), struck out "interstate or foreign" before "commerce" and "of Agriculture" after "Secretary" and included horses, mules, and other equines in the list of animals, respectively.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–97 effective the day after 120 days after Nov. 10, 2005, see section 798(b) of Pub. L. 109–97, set out as a note under section 601 of this title.

Effective and Termination Dates of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(d)(1), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570, provided that the amendment made by that section is effective only during the 6-year period beginning Nov. 10, 1986.

Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §408, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3571, provided that:

"(a) General Effective Date.—Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this title and the amendments made by this title [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall become effective on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1986].

"(b) Temporary Application of Existing Law.—Sections 6, 9, and 21 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 606, 609, and 621), as in effect immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1986], shall apply with respect to establishments until the Secretary of Agriculture first issues rules and regulations to implement the amendments made by section 403(a) [amending section 606 of this title]."

Effective Date of 1967 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 90–201 effective Dec. 15, 1967, except that with respect to equines (other than horses) and their carcasses and parts thereof, meat, and meat food products thereof, amendment effective upon expiration of sixty days after Dec. 15, 1967, see section 20(b) of Pub. L. 90–201, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §404, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3571, provided that: "The expiration date provisions of section 403 [enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall not have the effect of releasing or extinguishing any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), as amended by section 403 [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title], or under the rules or regulations issued under such Act."

Inspection Services for Establishments Not Participating in Total Plant Quality-Control Program

Pub. L. 99–641, title IV, §403(e), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3570, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 606, 621, 671, and 676 of this title] shall not be construed to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to refuse to provide inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) at an establishment solely because such establishment does not participate in a total plant quality-control program."

About This Section

21 U.S.C. § 609 is part of Title 21 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 21 U.S.C. § 609. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 609

What does United States Code § 609 cover?

Section 609 ("Examination of animals and food products thereof, slaughtered and prepared during nighttime") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

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Sources & Verification

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