Article 9. Horsemeat of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 9. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 9.

Only horsemeat inspected by state or federal agents shall be sold or offered for sale for human consumption. When horsemeat is offered for sale for human consumption there shall be displayed prominently in connection therewith and immediately adjacent thereto a sign with letters not less than eight inches in height and not less than three inches in width, bearing the words "horsemeat for human consumption."

Every restaurant, cafe, or other public eating place offering or serving horsemeat for human consumption shall have stamped on all menus, in green ink letters not less than one-half inch in height and one-quarter inch in width the words "horsemeat served here"; likewise a placard must be prominently displayed bearing the words "horsemeat served here" in letters not less than four inches in height and one-half inch in width.

Horsemeat or fresh or frozen pet food shall not be packed, stored or kept in any retail establishment with or in close proximity with any food product which is or shall be offered for human consumption irrespective of its type or nature.

Horsemeat or fresh or frozen pet food shall be kept and stored in a separate unit in a retail establishment provided for that purpose. A sign which reads "horsemeat" with letters two inches high and approximately one inch wide shall be conspicuously displayed so that it can readily be seen by those in the room where such horsemeat is sold.

All inspected horsemeat shall bear a tag or label with the words "inspected horsemeat," "U.S. government-inspected horsemeat," "state-inspected horsemeat," or "municipally inspected horsemeat," depending upon the type of inspection made of the product with letters printed thereon not less than one-half inch in height; provided, that the letters may be less than one-half inch in height where the horsemeat is processed, packaged, and sealed at the point of inspection and bears the label required by the inspection agency.

All horsemeat intended for pet food purposes not produced in the State of California shall be denatured before entering the state and shall meet all requirements of this chapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder. All inspected horsemeat not produced in the State of California shall be delivered to the warehouse, distributor or elsewhere in the original shipping containers.

Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent any city, city and county, or county from regulating or prohibiting by ordinance the sale of horsemeat in their respective communities.