Food and Agricultural Code section 21456

A person shall not have in his possession a carcass or any meat from a carcass which was not slaughtered by a licensed slaughterer, unless he has in his possession and exhibits to any inspector or peace officer on demand one of the following:

(a)

The hide of the animal from which the meat was obtained, with the ears and the brands attached to it, without alteration or disfiguration.

(b)

A certificate of inspection or release of the hide or of the carcass with the hide on it, which was issued pursuant to this article.

Source: Section 21456, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=FAC§ionNum=21456.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1973; accessed Nov. 3, 2025).

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Verified:
Nov. 3, 2025

§ 21456's source at ca​.gov